yán ér wú xìn: 言而无信 - To go back on one's word, Untrustworthy, Faithless

• Keywords: yan er wu xin, 言而无信, go back on one's word Chinese, untrustworthy in Chinese, break a promise Chinese, Chinese idiom for liar, chengyu for untrustworthy, faithless, lack of integrity, Chinese culture promise
• Summary: 言而无信 (yán ér wú xìn) is a powerful Chinese idiom (chengyu) used to describe someone who is untrustworthy and consistently fails to keep their promises. More than just breaking a promise, it condemns a person's fundamental character, suggesting they lack the core virtue of integrity (信, xìn). Understanding 言而无信 is key to grasping the deep cultural importance placed on being a person of your word in Chinese society, from personal relationships to business dealings.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yán ér wú xìn
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (成语) / Adjective Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To be faithless and not keep one's word.
• In a Nutshell: This isn't about a simple, one-time broken promise. 言而无信 (yán ér wú xìn) is a strong accusation that describes a person's core character. It means their words are empty because they are not backed by 信 (xìn)—a concept blending trust, integrity, and faith. To be called 言而无信 is to be labeled as fundamentally unreliable and dishonorable.

• 言 (yán): Speech, words, to say.
• 而 (ér): A classical conjunction meaning “but” or “and yet,” connecting the first part (speaking) to the second (the result).
• 无 (wú): Without, to not have, a lack of.
• 信 (xìn): Trust, faith, integrity, credibility, belief. This is a crucial character in Chinese ethics.

The characters literally combine to mean: “To speak words, but have no integrity/trust.” This paints a vivid picture of someone whose promises are hollow and worthless because they lack the foundational virtue of 信 (xìn).

• 言而无信 is deeply rooted in Confucian philosophy. 信 (xìn), or integrity/trustworthiness, is one of the Five Constants (五常, Wǔcháng), the cardinal virtues of Confucianism. Therefore, being 言而无信 is not just a personal failing; it's a violation of a core social and ethical principle that has structured Chinese society for millennia. A person's word is seen as a direct reflection of their honor and moral standing.
• Comparison to Western Culture: In the West, being “a person of your word” is highly valued. However, accusing someone of being 言而无信 carries a much heavier weight than saying “you broke your promise.” The English phrase often refers to a specific action, while the Chinese chengyu is a damning judgment on the person's entire character and moral fiber. It implies they are not a 君子 (jūnzǐ), or “noble person,” and are thus unworthy of respect or responsibility. This value permeates all aspects of life, making one's reputation (信用, xìnyòng) paramount in business and social interactions.

This is a formal and very strong term. It is not used lightly for trivial matters.

• In Business: Accusing a partner or company of being 言而无信 is a serious charge. It implies they have breached contracts, failed to deliver on agreements, and are fundamentally untrustworthy to do business with in the future.
• In Personal Relationships: Using this term in an argument with a friend or partner signifies a deep breach of trust. It's reserved for major promises that have been broken, such as repeated infidelity or a failure to provide promised support in a time of crisis.
• In Politics and Social Commentary: It's frequently used to criticize politicians or governments that fail to fulfill their campaign promises or international agreements. It is a powerful tool for expressing public discontent and moral condemnation.
• Connotation & Formality: The connotation is exclusively negative and carries a heavy, formal tone. Using it for a minor issue (like someone being late) would be seen as a dramatic overreaction.

• Example 1:
  • 他是个言而无信的人，你再也不应该相信他了。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì ge yán ér wú xìn de rén, nǐ zài yě bù yīnggāi xiāngxìn tā le.
  • English: He is an untrustworthy person; you should never believe him again.
  • Analysis: This is a straightforward statement and a warning, describing someone's fundamental character. The use of the term justifies the advice to no longer trust them.
• Example 2:
  • 这家公司言而无信，收了钱却不发货。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī yán ér wú xìn, shōu le qián què bù fā huò.
  • English: This company is faithless; they took the money but didn't ship the goods.
  • Analysis: A common usage in a business or consumer context. It strongly condemns the company's practices and serves as a warning to others.
• Example 3:
  • 做人最基本的原则就是不能言而无信。
  • Pinyin: Zuòrén zuì jīběn de yuánzé jiùshì bùnéng yán ér wú xìn.
  • English: The most fundamental principle of being a decent person is that you cannot be someone who goes back on their word.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses the cultural value behind the idiom. It frames trustworthiness not as a choice, but as a basic requirement for being a good person.
• Example 4:
  • 你答应过我的！你怎么可以这么言而无信？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ dāyìng guo wǒ de! Nǐ zěnme kěyǐ zhème yán ér wú xìn?
  • English: You promised me! How can you be so untrustworthy?
  • Analysis: Used here as a direct, emotional accusation in a personal conflict. The speaker feels deeply betrayed.
• Example 5:
  • 那个政客在竞选中做出了很多承诺，但他最后却言而无信，一个都没实现。
  • Pinyin: Nàge zhèngkè zài jìngxuǎn zhōng zuòchū le hěn duō chéngnuò, dàn tā zuìhòu què yán ér wú xìn, yí ge dōu méi shíxiàn.
  • English: That politician made a lot of promises during the campaign, but in the end, he went back on his word and didn't realize a single one.
  • Analysis: A typical example from a political context, highlighting a politician's failure to deliver on their promises.
• Example 6:
  • 我们不能与言而无信的伙伴合作，因为风险太大了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bùnéng yǔ yán ér wú xìn de huǒbàn hézuò, yīnwèi fēngxiǎn tài dà le.
  • English: We cannot cooperate with partners who are untrustworthy because the risk is too great.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the practical consequence of being labeled 言而无信 in a professional setting—exclusion and loss of opportunity.
• Example 7:
  • 古代的君子以言而无信为耻。
  • Pinyin: Gǔdài de jūnzǐ yǐ yán ér wú xìn wéi chǐ.
  • English: The gentlemen of ancient times considered it a disgrace to be untrustworthy.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides historical and cultural context, linking the concept to the ideal of the 君子 (jūnzǐ), or noble person.
• Example 8:
  • 他一再推迟还款日期，真是个言而无信的家伙。
  • Pinyin: Tā yízài tuīchí huánkuǎn rìqī, zhēn shì ge yán ér wú xìn de jiāhuo.
  • English: He repeatedly postpones the repayment date; he's truly an untrustworthy fellow.
  • Analysis: This shows the term being applied to a specific, repeated behavior (delaying debt repayment) that reveals a person's unreliable character.
• Example 9:
  • 如果你不想被别人看作是言而无信的人，就一定要说到做到。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bùxiǎng bèi biérén kànzuò shì yán ér wú xìn de rén, jiù yídìng yào shuō dào zuò dào.
  • English: If you don't want to be seen by others as an untrustworthy person, you must do what you say you will do.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts 言而无信 with its antidote, 说到做到 (shuō dào zuò dào), offering clear, actionable advice.
• Example 10:
  • 我最讨厌的就是言而无信和出尔反尔的人。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuì tǎoyàn de jiùshì yán ér wú xìn hé chū ěr fǎn ěr de rén.
  • English: The people I hate the most are those who are faithless and those who are inconsistent.
  • Analysis: This sentence pairs 言而无信 with a similar idiom, 出尔反尔 (chū ěr fǎn ěr), to strongly express a dislike for unreliable people.

• Don't Use It For Trivial Matters: The most common mistake for learners is using this heavy term for minor issues. If your friend forgets to bring a book they promised, they are not 言而无信. They just forgot (忘了, wàngle). Using 言而无信 here would be like using a cannon to shoot a fly; it's overly dramatic and could damage the relationship. Reserve it for serious breaches of trust.
  • Incorrect: 你忘了给我打电话，你太言而无信了！(Nǐ wàng le gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà, nǐ tài yán ér wú xìn le!) → You forgot to call me, you're so untrustworthy! (This is far too strong).
  • Correct: 你怎么忘了给我打电话？(Nǐ zěnme wàng le gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà?) → How could you forget to call me?
• False Friend: “Liar” (说谎的人, shuōhuǎng de rén): While someone who is 言而无信 is likely a liar, the terms have different focuses. 说谎 (shuōhuǎng) means “to tell a lie”—to state something that is factually untrue. 言而无信 specifically focuses on the failure to act on a promise or statement of intent. A person can tell the truth about their intention at the moment of speaking, but if they fail to follow through, they become 言而无信. The chengyu attacks their lack of integrity and follow-through, not just their factual accuracy.

• Antonyms (The Ideal):
  • 一言为定 (yī yán wéi dìng) - “It's a deal,” “That's settled.” Literally “one word makes it fixed,” emphasizing the power of a verbal agreement.
  • 说到做到 (shuō dào zuò dào) - “To do what one says.” A highly praised quality that is the direct opposite of 言而无信.
  • 言而有信 (yán ér yǒu xìn) - The direct antonym: “To speak and have trust,” meaning someone who keeps their word.
• Synonyms / Similar Concepts:
  • 出尔反尔 (chū ěr fǎn ěr) - To go back on one's word, to be inconsistent. This term often emphasizes the changeability and fickleness of a person.
  • 食言 (shí yán) - Literally “to eat one's words.” This is a more common, slightly less formal verb for breaking a promise. (e.g., 你不能食言 - You can't go back on your word).
• Related Core Values/Concepts:
  • 诚信 (chéngxìn) - Integrity, good faith. This is the virtue that a 言而无信 person lacks.
  • 信用 (xìnyòng) - Credit, trustworthiness, reputation. A person's 信用 is destroyed when they are known to be 言而无信.
  • 君子 (jūnzǐ) - The Confucian ideal of a gentleman or noble person, who would view being 言而无信 as a profound source of shame.
  • 守信 (shǒu xìn) - To keep one's promise, to be trustworthy. The action of upholding 信 (xìn).