貌合心离 mào hé xīn lí

outwardly united but inwardly divided

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. the appearance of unity, but divided at heart (idiom); seeming harmony belies underlying disagreement

Characters

Character Meaning
貌 mào HSK 4
appearance
合 hé HSK 4
to join; to fit; to close
心 xīn HSK 3
heart; mind; intention
离 lí HSK 2
to leave; to be away from; (in giving distances) from