piànrén: 骗人 - To Deceive, To Lie, To Trick

• Keywords: pianren, 骗人, deceive Chinese, lie in Chinese, trick Chinese, Chinese for scam, how to say liar in Chinese, what does pianren mean, 骗, cheat, swindle
• Summary: “骗人” (piànrén) is a fundamental Chinese term meaning to deceive, lie to, or trick someone. It's a powerful and direct word used to call out dishonesty, from simple lies to elaborate scams. Understanding “骗人” is essential for navigating everyday conversations, spotting misleading claims, and grasping Chinese cultural perspectives on trust and integrity. This page provides a comprehensive guide to its meaning, usage, and cultural significance for beginner learners.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): piàn rén
• Part of Speech: Verb; Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To deceive, lie to, or trick a person.
• In a Nutshell: “骗人” is a common, direct term for dishonesty. It's a “verb-object” compound (骗/piàn “to cheat” + 人/rén “person”) that functions as a single concept. It carries a strong negative connotation, implying a deliberate act of misleading someone, often for personal gain. When something is described as “太骗人了” (tài piànrén le), it means it's a total rip-off or completely misleading.

• 骗 (piàn): The radical is 马 (mǎ), meaning “horse.” The character suggests the idea of tricking someone and then getting away quickly on a horse—a classic image of a swindler. The core meaning is to cheat, swindle, or deceive.
• 人 (rén): This is one of the simplest and most common characters, meaning “person” or “people.” It's a pictogram of a walking person.
• Together, 骗人 (piànrén) literally translates to “cheat a person,” creating a clear and direct term for any act of deception targeting an individual.

In Chinese culture, trust and sincerity (诚信, chéngxìn) are highly valued social virtues. Therefore, accusing someone of being “骗人” is a serious charge that can cause someone to lose “face” (丢面子, diū miànzi). It's not just about a factual untruth; it's an attack on one's character and integrity. Compared to English, “骗人” is a broad-spectrum term covering “to lie,” “to deceive,” “to trick,” and “to scam.” While an English speaker might differentiate between a “white lie” and a “deception,” “骗人” leans more towards the latter. It implies a victim and a malicious or selfish intent. For example, telling a friend you're busy when you just want to stay home might be better described as `撒谎 (sāhuǎng, to tell a lie)`. Using `骗人` would sound overly harsh, as if you were maliciously tricking your friend. However, if a shopkeeper sells you a fake product, `骗人` is the perfect term.

“骗人” is extremely versatile and frequently used in both spoken and written Chinese.

• As a Direct Accusation: It's used as a verb to directly accuse someone of lying. For example, a child might shout “你骗人!” (Nǐ piànrén! - You're a liar!).
• As an Adjective (Describing a Situation): This is a very common structure. When something is unfair, misleading, or a rip-off, you can say it's “骗人”. For example: “这个价格太骗人了!” (Zhège jiàgé tài piànrén le! - This price is a total rip-off!).
• On Social Media and in Conversation: It's often used to express disbelief or outrage at a claim, price, or advertisement. You might see comments like “这不是骗人吗？” (Zhè bùshì piànrén ma? - Isn't this just a scam?) under a post for an overpriced product.

• Example 1:
  • 你骗人！我再也不相信你了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ piànrén! Wǒ zài yě bù xiāngxìn nǐ le.
  • English: You're lying! I'll never believe you again.
  • Analysis: A simple, powerful, and very common accusation. This shows the verb usage in its most direct form.
• Example 2:
  • 这个广告太骗人了，产品根本没有那么好的效果。
  • Pinyin: Zhège guǎnggào tài piànrén le, chǎnpǐn gēnběn méiyǒu nàme hǎo de xiàoguǒ.
  • English: This advertisement is so deceptive; the product doesn't have such good effects at all.
  • Analysis: Here, “骗人” functions as an adjective describing the advertisement. The structure “太 + [adj] + 了” (tài…le) is used for emphasis.
• Example 3:
  • 他用花言巧语骗了老奶奶的钱。
  • Pinyin: Tā yòng huāyánqiǎoyǔ piànle lǎo nǎinai de qián.
  • English: He used sweet talk to swindle the old lady's money.
  • Analysis: This example shows the verb 骗 separated from 人. The structure is `骗 + [victim] + 的 + [thing]`. It highlights a specific act of cheating for material gain.
• Example 4:
  • 小心点，网上有很多骗人的链接。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎoxīn diǎn, wǎngshàng yǒu hěnduō piànrén de liànjiē.
  • English: Be careful, there are a lot of scam/phishing links online.
  • Analysis: “骗人的” (piànrén de) is used adjectivally to modify a noun (链接, liànjiē - links). This is a very useful pattern for describing things that are fake or deceptive.
• Example 5:
  • 你是不是在骗人？老实告诉我。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì bùshì zài piànrén? Lǎoshí gàosù wǒ.
  • English: Are you lying to me? Tell me honestly.
  • Analysis: The “是不是” (shì bùshì) structure turns the statement into a question, directly challenging someone's honesty.
• Example 6:
  • 我感觉自己被骗了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gǎnjué zìjǐ bèi piàn le.
  • English: I feel like I've been deceived.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the passive voice with `被 (bèi)`, focusing on the speaker as the victim of the deception. Notice 人 is dropped because the context makes it clear who was cheated.
• Example 7:
  • 这样做生意不是骗人吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhèyàng zuò shēngyì bùshì piànrén ma?
  • English: Isn't doing business this way just cheating people?
  • Analysis: A rhetorical question used to criticize unethical business practices. It's a common way to express moral indignation.
• Example 8:
  • 他居然为了请假而骗人说自己生病了。
  • Pinyin: Tā jūrán wèile qǐngjià ér piànrén shuō zìjǐ shēngbìng le.
  • English: He actually lied that he was sick just to get a day off.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides the reason for the deception (“为了请假” - in order to take leave). `居然 (jūrán)` adds a tone of surprise or disbelief.
• Example 9:
  • 别拿这种小把戏来骗人，我不会上当的。
  • Pinyin: Bié ná zhè zhǒng xiǎo bǎxì lái piànrén, wǒ bù huì shàngdàng de.
  • English: Don't use this kind of little trick to fool people, I won't fall for it.
  • Analysis: Shows the relationship between `骗人` (the act of deceiving) and `上当 (shàngdàng)` (the result of being deceived).
• Example 10:
  • 商家不应该通过虚假宣传来骗人。
  • Pinyin: Shāngjiā bù yìnggāi tōngguò xūjiǎ xuānchuán lái piànrén.
  • English: Businesses should not deceive people through false advertising.
  • Analysis: A more formal sentence discussing business ethics, showing that “骗人” is used across different registers, from casual complaints to more serious discussions.

• “骗人” (piànrén) vs. “撒谎” (sāhuǎng): This is a critical distinction.
  • `撒谎 (sāhuǎng)` means “to tell a lie.” It refers specifically to the act of saying something untrue. It can be used for minor, “white lies.”
  • `骗人 (piànrén)` means “to deceive/trick a person.” It's a broader term that implies a deliberate act of misleading someone, often with a negative consequence for the victim. It carries a much stronger and more accusatory tone.
  • Mistake Example: Your friend asks if you like their new shirt, and you don't, but you say you do to be polite.
    • Correct: 我刚才撒了个谎。(Wǒ gāngcái sāle ge huǎng.) - I just told a little lie.
    • Incorrect/Too Strong: 我刚才骗了你。(Wǒ gāngcái piànle nǐ.) - I just deceived you. This sounds like a serious betrayal.
• Using “骗” as a Transitive Verb: Learners often forget that `骗` can be used directly with an object, like money or trust. For example, “他骗了我的钱” (Tā piànle wǒ de qián - He cheated me out of my money) is correct. Don't say “他骗人我的钱”.

• 撒谎 (sāhuǎng) - To tell a lie. More specific than `骗人`, focusing only on the untruthful statement.
• 欺骗 (qīpiàn) - A more formal, literary word for “to deceive” or “to defraud.”
• 骗子 (piànzi) - The noun: a “liar,” “swindler,” “scammer,” or “con artist.”
• 谎言 (huǎngyán) - The noun: “a lie,” “falsehood.”
• 上当 (shàngdàng) - To be fooled, to fall for a scam. This is the perspective of the person who was tricked. (e.g., 我上当了 - Wǒ shàngdàng le - I was fooled).
• 忽悠 (hūyou) - (Colloquial) To dupe, sweet-talk, or mislead, often in a less severe or even playful way. Very common in Northern China.
• 虚假 (xūjiǎ) - An adjective for “false,” “fake,” or “sham.” Often seen in the phrase `虚假宣传` (xūjiǎ xuānchuán - false advertising).
• 诚信 (chéngxìn) - The positive value that stands in opposition to `骗人`: integrity, sincerity, and trustworthiness.