似是而非 sì shì ér fēi

DEFINITIONS

  1. apparently right but actually wrong; specious (idiom)

CHARACTERS

似 sì
HSK 5
resemble, similar to; as if, seem
是 shì
HSK 1
indeed, yes, right; to be; demonstrative pronoun, this, that
而 ér
HSK 3
and; and then; and yet; but
非 fēi
HSK 2
not, negative, non-; oppose