xūwěi: 虚伪 - Hypocritical, Insincere

• Keywords: 虚伪, xuwei, xūwěi, Chinese hypocrite, insincere in Chinese, fake person Chinese, Chinese word for hypocrisy, 虚伪 meaning, how to use 虚伪, xūwěi vs zhencheng, Chinese culture sincerity
• Summary: Discover the deep cultural meaning of 虚伪 (xūwěi), the Chinese term for “hypocritical” or “insincere.” This page breaks down its characters, explores its significance in Chinese society where authenticity is highly valued, and provides practical examples to help you understand when someone's smile is genuine or just 虚伪. Learn to distinguish it from simple politeness and avoid common mistakes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xū wěi
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: Describes a person, their words, or actions as being hypocritical, insincere, or disingenuous.
• In a Nutshell: 虚伪 (xūwěi) is a powerful word used to call out a lack of genuineness. It points to a gap between someone's outward appearance (friendly, righteous, polite) and their inner thoughts or intentions (selfish, malicious, indifferent). Think of a politician who gives a passionate speech about helping the poor but has no real intention of doing so—that's a classic example of 虚伪.

• 虚 (xū): This character's original meaning is “empty,” “hollow,” or “void.” Think of an empty room or a vacant stare. In this context, it implies a lack of substance or genuineness.
• 伪 (wěi): This character means “false,” “fake,” or “counterfeit.” It's composed of the person radical (亻) and the character 为 (wéi), which means “to do” or “to act.” So, it literally suggests “human action” that is artificial or not natural, hence “fake.”
• Together, 虚伪 (xūwěi) literally translates to “empty and fake.” The combination creates a strong image of someone whose character or actions are hollow and intentionally deceptive—the very essence of hypocrisy.

In Chinese culture, sincerity 真诚 (zhēnchéng) is a highly prized virtue. Therefore, being labeled 虚伪 (xūwěi) is a serious social condemnation. It's much stronger than the English “fake” and carries a heavy moral judgment. A key cultural point of comparison is the Western concept of “politeness.” In many Western contexts, certain social pleasantries (e.g., “How are you?” without expecting a real answer, or giving a mild compliment) are considered standard politeness. However, if these actions are perceived as overly elaborate or without a basis in genuine feeling in a Chinese context, they can easily be interpreted as 虚伪. This is because the action is seen as “empty” (虚) and “fake” (伪), possibly performed to manipulate or gain something without real emotional investment. This is often tied to the concept of 面子 (miànzi), or social face, where someone might engage in 虚伪 behavior to preserve their own or someone else's face, but it's a risky social maneuver.

虚伪 is almost always used with a negative connotation. It's a direct and strong criticism.

• In Conversation: Calling someone 虚伪 to their face is highly confrontational and can severely damage a relationship. It's more often used to describe a third person who is not present.
• On Social Media: Netizens frequently use 虚伪 to criticize public figures, celebrities, or companies whose actions don't align with their stated values or public image.
• In Business: It can be used to describe disingenuous business practices, false promises, or a colleague who is seen as a “yes-man” but is actually untrustworthy. A 虚伪的承诺 (xūwěi de chéngnuò) is a “false promise.”

• Example 1:
  • 我最讨厌虚伪的人。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuì tǎoyàn xūwěi de rén.
  • English: I can't stand hypocritical people.
  • Analysis: A very common and direct way to express a personal value. This establishes a clear dislike for insincerity.
• Example 2:
  • 他的笑容看起来很虚伪。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xiàoróng kàn qǐlái hěn xūwěi.
  • English: His smile looks very fake/insincere.
  • Analysis: Here, 虚伪 is used to describe an action or expression, not the entire person (though it implies something about their character).
• Example 3:
  • 她受够了职场上那些虚伪的客套。
  • Pinyin: Tā shòu gòu le zhíchǎng shàng nàxiē xūwěi de kètào.
  • English: She has had enough of all the phony pleasantries in the workplace.
  • Analysis: This example links 虚伪 with 客套 (kètào), or “polite formalities.” It highlights the feeling that routine politeness can become meaningless and insincere.
• Example 4:
  • 你能不能别这么虚伪？说实话吧。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bù néng bié zhème xūwěi? Shuō shíhuà ba.
  • English: Can you stop being so hypocritical? Just tell the truth.
  • Analysis: This is a direct, confrontational use of the word. It's used to challenge someone and demand honesty.
• Example 5:
  • 他的道歉充满了虚伪，我根本不相信。
  • Pinyin: Tā de dàoqiàn chōngmǎn le xūwěi, wǒ gēnběn bù xiāngxìn.
  • English: His apology was full of insincerity; I don't believe it at all.
  • Analysis: This shows 虚伪 being used as a noun-like quality (“insincerity”) that can “fill” something, like an apology or promise.
• Example 6:
  • 政客们常常被批评过于虚伪。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngkè men chángcháng bèi pīpíng guòyú xūwěi.
  • English: Politicians are often criticized for being too hypocritical.
  • Analysis: A common social critique. The structure 被批评 (bèi pīpíng) means “to be criticized.”
• Example 7:
  • 我宁愿听到残酷的真相，也不要虚伪的安慰。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ nìngyuàn tīngdào cánkù de zhēnxiàng, yě bú yào xūwěi de ānwèi.
  • English: I would rather hear the cruel truth than receive insincere comfort.
  • Analysis: This sentence structure 宁愿 A, 也不要 B (nìngyuàn A, yě bú yào B) means “would rather A than B,” effectively contrasting truth with hypocrisy.
• Example 8:
  • 他表面上对你很好，但实际上是一个非常虚伪的家伙。
  • Pinyin: Tā biǎomiàn shàng duì nǐ hěn hǎo, dàn shíjì shàng shì yí ge fēicháng xūwěi de jiāhuo.
  • English: On the surface, he's very nice to you, but in reality, he's an extremely hypocritical guy.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the 表面上…实际上… (biǎomiàn shàng… shíjì shàng…) structure (“on the surface… in reality…”) which perfectly captures the essence of 虚伪.
• Example 9:
  • 这种虚伪的社会风气让人感到窒息。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng xūwěi de shèhuì fēngqì ràng rén gǎndào zhìxī.
  • English: This kind of hypocritical social atmosphere makes people feel suffocated.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates using 虚伪 in a more abstract way to describe a social trend or atmosphere, not just a single person.
• Example 10:
  • 与其虚伪地活着，不如真诚地面对自己。
  • Pinyin: Yǔqí xūwěi de huózhe, bùrú zhēnchéng de miànduì zìjǐ.
  • English: Rather than living hypocritically, it's better to face oneself with sincerity.
  • Analysis: The 与其 A, 不如 B (yǔqí A, bùrú B) structure means “it's better to B than to A.” This sentence has a philosophical tone, advocating for authenticity over hypocrisy.

• False Friend: “Polite” vs. 虚伪 (xūwěi)
  • In English, being polite is generally a good thing. In Chinese, while politeness 礼貌 (lǐmào) is also valued, excessive or unctuous pleasantries 客套 (kètào) can be seen as 虚伪. The key difference is intent. Politeness is a neutral social lubricant. 虚伪 implies a deceptive or self-serving motive behind the polite facade. Don't assume all Chinese pleasantries are 虚伪, but be aware that over-the-top compliments may be met with suspicion.
• Common Mistake: Describing Objects
  • A learner might try to say “a fake bag” using 虚伪. This is incorrect. 虚伪 applies to character, behavior, and abstract concepts, not physical objects.
  • Incorrect: 这是一个很虚伪的包。 (Zhè shì yí ge hěn xūwěi de bāo.)
  • Correct: 这是一个假包。 (Zhè shì yí ge jiǎ bāo.)
  • Rule of Thumb: Use 假 (jiǎ) for fake objects and 虚伪 (xūwěi) for insincere people or actions.
• Severity of the Word:
  • Calling someone 虚伪 is not a light accusation. It's a direct attack on their moral character. In most daily situations, it's too strong. You would only use it if you are prepared for a confrontation or are speaking very frankly about someone you dislike.

• 真诚 (zhēnchéng) - Sincere, genuine. The direct antonym of 虚伪.
• 伪君子 (wěijūnzǐ) - A hypocrite, literally a “false gentleman.” A classical and very strong term for someone who pretends to be virtuous.
• 假 (jiǎ) - Fake, false, counterfeit. Used for objects, news, or information, but not for describing character in the way 虚伪 does.
• 口是心非 (kǒu shì xīn fēi) - A chengyu (idiom) meaning “mouth says yes, heart says no.” It's a perfect description of 虚伪 behavior.
• 拍马屁 (pāi mǎpì) - To flatter or “kiss up to” someone. This action is often seen as a form of 虚伪.
• 客套 (kètào) - Conventional politeness; social pleasantries. When overdone or insincere, it becomes 虚伪.
• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face” or social dignity. People may act in a 虚伪 manner to save face for themselves or others.