# 阳奉阴违

yáng fèng yīn wéi

Agree outwardly while secretly disobeying

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Comply in the light and oppose in the dark

**Traditional Chinese:** 陽奉陰違

**Register:** Critical · expressive

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

## When to use it

Describe concealed noncompliance with an instruction.

Open disagreement is more transparent.

## Understanding the expression

The contrast between light and darkness separates public agreement from private action. Someone appears to accept a rule or decision but deliberately works against it when unobserved. The expression often criticizes deceptive compliance in organizations or families. It differs from misunderstanding an instruction or openly objecting to it. Honest disagreement allows discussion; hidden resistance makes coordination difficult because others mistakenly rely on the promise that the agreed action will be carried out.

## Examples

他口头答应，实际阳奉阴违。

### Traditional Chinese

他口頭答應，實際陽奉陰違。

tā kǒu tóu dā ying ， shí jì yáng fèng yīn wéi 。

He agreed verbally but secretly disobeyed.

部门对新规阳奉阴违。

### Traditional Chinese

部門對新規陽奉陰違。

bù mén duì xīn guī yáng fèng yīn wéi 。

The department outwardly accepted the new rule but secretly resisted it.

她不阳奉阴违，而是公开提出异议。

### Traditional Chinese

她不陽奉陰違，而是公開提出異議。

tā bù yáng fèng yīn wéi ， ér shì gōng kāi tí chū yì yì 。

She raised her objection openly rather than pretending to comply.

监督不足，让阳奉阴违有了空间。

### Traditional Chinese

監督不足，讓陽奉陰違有了空間。

jiān dū bù zú ， ràng yáng fèng yīn wéi yǒu le kōng jiān 。

Insufficient oversight created room for concealed noncompliance.

## 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=%E9%99%BD%E5%A5%89%E9%99%B0%E9%81%95)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=940&webMd=1&la=0)

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