知人知面不知心 zhī rén zhī miàn bù zhī xīn

know face not heart; hard to know true mind

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. one may know a person for a long time without understanding his true nature (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
知 zhī HSK 2
to know; to be aware
人 rén HSK 1
person; people; man
知 zhī HSK 2
to know; to be aware
面 miàn HSK 1
face; surface; aspect
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
知 zhī HSK 2
to know; to be aware
心 xīn HSK 3
heart; mind; intention