# 外强中干

wài qiáng zhōng gān

Appear strong while being weak inside

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Strong outside and dry within

**Traditional Chinese:** 外強中乾

**Register:** Critical · formal

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe impressive appearance masking poor substance.

Requires evidence about internal weakness.

## Understanding the expression

The exterior suggests strength, but the inside lacks what is needed to sustain it. Modern use describes people, organizations, products, or arguments whose display exceeds their real capacity. Loud confidence, attractive packaging, or large premises may hide poor resources or fragile reasoning. The expression challenges appearances rather than size itself. A fair judgment needs information about how the thing actually works, because modest or impressive presentation alone cannot establish its inner quality.

## Examples

这家公司外强中干，资金很紧。

### Traditional Chinese

這家公司外強中乾，資金很緊。

zhè jiā gōng sī wài qiáng zhōng gān ， zī jīn hěn jǐn 。

The company looks strong but has little funding.

他态度强硬，其实外强中干。

### Traditional Chinese

他態度強硬，其實外強中乾。

tā tài dù qiáng yìng ， qí shí wài qiáng zhōng gān 。

He acts tough but lacks real strength.

这套论证外强中干，证据不足。

### Traditional Chinese

這套論證外強中乾，證據不足。

zhè tào lùn zhèng wài qiáng zhōng gān ， zhèng jù bù zú 。

The argument looks impressive but lacks evidence.

新设备外强中干，关键部件很差。

### Traditional Chinese

新設備外強中乾，關鍵部件很差。

xīn shè bèi wài qiáng zhōng gān ， guān jiàn bù jiàn hěn chà 。

The new equipment looks robust but has poor core components.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%A4%96%E5%BC%B7%E4%B8%AD%E4%B9%BE)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=294&webMd=1&la=0)

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