# 言不由衷

yán bù yóu zhōng

Say what one does not sincerely mean

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Words do not come from the heart

**Register:** Evaluative · formal

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe speech that contradicts inner feelings.

Not every polite restraint is dishonest.

## Understanding the expression

Words normally express what a person thinks or feels, but here that connection is broken. Someone says what pressure, politeness, fear, or self interest demands instead of what they sincerely believe. Modern use can criticize insincerity or sympathize with a person unable to speak freely. Tone depends on the reason. The phrase concerns a mismatch between words and feelings, not simply keeping some thoughts private for a good reason.

## Examples

他夸得热情，却显得言不由衷。

### Traditional Chinese

他誇得熱情，卻顯得言不由衷。

tā kuā dé rè qíng ， què xiǎn de yán bù yóu zhōng 。

His warm praise sounded insincere.

她的道歉言不由衷，让人失望。

### Traditional Chinese

她的道歉言不由衷，讓人失望。

tā de dào qiàn yán bù yóu zhōng ， ràng rén shī wàng 。

Her insincere apology disappointed people.

迫于压力，他说了言不由衷的话。

### Traditional Chinese

迫於壓力，他說了言不由衷的話。

pò yú yā lì ， tā shuō le yán bù yóu zhōng de huà 。

Under pressure, he said things he did not mean.

我不想言不由衷地赞同。

### Traditional Chinese

我不想言不由衷地贊同。

wǒ bù xiǎng yán bù yóu zhōng dì zàn tóng 。

I do not want to agree insincerely.

## 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=%E8%A8%80%E4%B8%8D%E7%94%B1%E8%A1%B7)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=123&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [言而有信 yán ér yǒu xìn Keep your word ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yan-er-you-xin)

- [言行一致 yán xíng yī zhì Match words with actions ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yan-xing-yi-zhi)

- [阳奉阴违 yáng fèng yīn wéi Agree outwardly while secretly disobeying ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yang-feng-yin-wei)

- [仰人鼻息 yǎng rén bí xī Depend on another person's favor for survival ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yang-ren-bi-xi)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 鸦雀无声 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ya-que-wu-sheng) [Next idiom 掩耳盗铃 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yan-er-dao-ling)