====== liǎngmiànpài: 两面派 - Two-Faced Person, Double-Dealer ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** liǎngmiànpài, 两面派, two-faced person in Chinese, Chinese word for hypocrite, double-dealer, duplicitous, insincere, fake person Chinese, Chinese slang, how to say hypocrite in Chinese.
  * **Summary:** Learn about the powerful Chinese term **两面派 (liǎngmiànpài)**, which describes a "two-faced person" or "double-dealer." This comprehensive guide breaks down its literal meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage in modern China. Understand how to spot and describe this kind of hypocrisy, and why it's considered a serious character flaw in Chinese culture.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** liǎngmiàn pài
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (Concept is advanced, suitable for intermediate to advanced learners)
  * **Concise Definition:** A person who is duplicitous, hypocritical, or says one thing and does another; a two-faced person or double-dealer.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **两面派 (liǎngmiànpài)** is a strongly negative term for a hypocrite. It literally translates to the "two-face faction" or "two-sided school," vividly painting a picture of someone who shows different faces or holds opposing loyalties depending on the situation. Calling someone a **两面派** is a direct and serious accusation of deceit, untrustworthiness, and a fundamental lack of integrity.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **两 (liǎng):** Means "two" or "a pair."
  * **面 (miàn):** Means "face," "side," or "surface."
  * **派 (pài):** Means a "faction," "clique," "school of thought," or a "type/style" of person.
Together, **两 (two) + 面 (face/side) + 派 (faction/type)** creates the "two-face type of person." The character **派** adds a unique layer, suggesting that this person's duplicity is so ingrained it's like they belong to their own deceptive political party or clique.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In Chinese culture, which often places a high value on sincerity (诚意, chéngyì), integrity (正直, zhèngzhí), and social harmony (和谐, héxié), being a **两面派** is a severe character flaw. It signifies a profound breach of trust that can destroy relationships, whether personal or professional.
A **两面派** isn't just someone who tells a white lie; they are seen as fundamentally disloyal and manipulative. Their behavior directly undermines the unspoken rules of [[guanxi|关系 (guānxi)]], where trust and mutual obligation are paramount.
**Comparison to Western Culture:** The English term "two-faced" is a very close equivalent. However, the inclusion of **派 (pài)** in **两面派** can sometimes carry a stronger connotation of calculated allegiance and betrayal, especially in group or political settings. While "two-faced" might be used for simple gossip, **两面派** often implies a deeper, more systematic deception, as if the person is playing for two different teams simultaneously. It's a betrayal not just of an individual, but of a group's collective trust.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**两面派** is an insult. It is used to express contempt and disappointment in someone's character. Its usage is almost exclusively negative and can be found in various contexts.
  * **In the Workplace:** This is a common setting to hear the term. It's used to describe a colleague who flatters the boss to their face but complains endlessly behind their back, or one who steals credit for a team project while appearing supportive.
  * **In Social Circles:** It describes a "friend" who is sweet and supportive when you are around but spreads rumors or criticizes you to others.
  * **In Politics and Media:** Public figures, officials, or celebrities are often accused of being **两面派** if their public statements contradict their private actions (e.g., promoting charity while living an excessively lavish and wasteful lifestyle).
  * **Formality:** The term can be used in informal gossip among friends ("他是个两面派！") as well as in more formal condemnations, such as in a news article criticizing a corrupt official.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 我最讨厌**两面派**，当着你的面一套，背后又一套。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ zuì tǎoyàn **liǎngmiànpài**, dāngzhe nǐ de miàn yī tào, bèihòu yòu yī tào.
    * English: I hate two-faced people the most; they act one way to your face and another way behind your back.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses a common parallel phrase, `当面一套，背后一套 (dāngmiàn yī tào, bèihòu yòu yī tào)`, which perfectly explains the behavior of a **两面派**.
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 你要小心他，他可是公司里出了名的**两面派**。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ yào xiǎoxīn tā, tā kěshì gōngsī lǐ chūle míng de **liǎngmiànpài**.
    * English: You need to be careful with him; he's the company's notorious double-dealer.
    * Analysis: This is a classic warning, often given to a new colleague. "出了名 (chūle míng)" means "famous for" or "notorious."
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 我真没想到她是这种**两面派**，我再也不相信她了。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ zhēn méi xiǎngdào tā shì zhè zhǒng **liǎngmiànpài**, wǒ zài yě bù xiāngxìn tā le.
    * English: I truly didn't expect her to be this kind of two-faced person. I will never trust her again.
    * Analysis: This sentence expresses shock and the consequence of such behavior: a complete loss of trust.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 他的**两面派**行为最终被所有人识破了。
    * Pinyin: Tā de **liǎngmiànpài** xíngwéi zuìzhōng bèi suǒyǒu rén shípò le.
    * English: His duplicitous behavior was eventually seen through by everyone.
    * Analysis: Here, **两面派** is used as an adjective to describe "行为 (xíngwéi)," or behavior.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 别再假惺惺了，你这个**两面派**！
    * Pinyin: Bié zài jiǎxīngxīng le, nǐ zhège **liǎngmiànpài**!
    * English: Stop pretending! You two-faced hypocrite!
    * Analysis: A very direct and angry accusation. "假惺惺 (jiǎxīngxīng)" means "to pretend" or "to be hypocritical."
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 这位政客被媒体揭露是个**两面派**，对不同的选民说不同的话。
    * Pinyin: Zhè wèi zhèngkè bèi méitǐ jiēlù shì ge **liǎngmiànpài**, duì bùtóng de xuǎnmín shuō bùtóng de huà.
    * English: This politician was exposed by the media as a double-dealer who says different things to different voters.
    * Analysis: A common usage in a political context, highlighting a lack of consistent principles.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 做人要诚实，千万不能当**两面派**。
    * Pinyin: Zuòrén yào chéngshí, qiānwàn bùnéng dāng **liǎngmiànpài**.
    * English: As a person, you must be honest; you absolutely cannot be two-faced.
    * Analysis: This sentence frames the concept as a moral lesson. "做人 (zuòrén)" means "how to conduct oneself as a person."
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 在商业谈判中，我们最怕遇到**两面派**的对手。
    * Pinyin: Zài shāngyè tánpàn zhōng, wǒmen zuì pà yù dào **liǎngmiànpài** de duìshǒu.
    * English: In business negotiations, what we fear most is encountering a two-faced opponent.
    * Analysis: This shows the term's applicability in a professional, high-stakes context.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 他对老板总是阿谀奉承，对同事却非常刻薄，真是个十足的**两面派**。
    * Pinyin: Tā duì lǎobǎn zǒngshì ēyú fèngchéng, duì tóngshì què fēicháng kèbó, zhēnshi ge shízú de **liǎngmiànpài**.
    * English: He's always flattering the boss but is very harsh with colleagues; he's a complete double-dealer.
    * Analysis: "十足的 (shízú de)" means "out-and-out" or "100%," used here for emphasis. "阿谀奉承 (ēyú fèngchéng)" is a chengyu for "to flatter."
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 我宁愿和坦率的敌人打交道，也不愿和**两面派**的朋友合作。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ nìngyuàn hé tǎnshuài de dírén dǎjiāodào, yě bù yuàn hé **liǎngmiànpài** de péngyǒu hézuò.
    * English: I would rather deal with a frank enemy than cooperate with a two-faced friend.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses the "宁愿...也不愿... (nìngyuàn... yě bù yuàn...)" structure ("would rather... than...") to emphasize how undesirable a **两面派** is.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Don't Use It Lightly:** **两面派** is a very strong and insulting term. Do not use it for someone who simply changes their mind or is indecisive. It specifically implies malicious intent and deception.
    * //Incorrect:// 他昨天想吃米饭，今天想吃面条，真是个**两面派**。 (He wanted rice yesterday and wants noodles today, he's so two-faced.)
    * //Reason:// This is simply changing preference, not being deceitful.
  * **False Friends: "Diplomatic" vs. "Two-Faced"**
    * A person who is "diplomatic" (圆滑, yuánhuá) might be tactful and avoid conflict by choosing their words carefully in front of different people. Their goal is often to maintain harmony.
    * A **两面派**, however, actively deceives for personal gain. Their goal is to manipulate.
    * For example, a diplomat might say "That's an interesting idea" to a bad suggestion to avoid offending someone. A **两面派** would say "That's a brilliant idea!" to your face and then tell everyone else how stupid it is.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[虚伪]] (xūwěi):** Hypocritical, false. An adjective describing the *behavior* of a **两面派**. **两面派** is the noun for the person.
  * **[[当面一套，背后一套]] (dāngmiàn yītào, bèihòu yītào):** A chengyu (idiom) meaning "one set [of words/behaviors] to the face, another set behind the back." It's the quintessential action of a **两面派**.
  * **[[口是心非]] (kǒu shì xīn fēi):** A chengyu meaning "mouth says yes, heart says no." Describes the state of being insincere.
  * **[[伪君子]] (wěi jūn zǐ):** "False gentleman." Very similar to **两面派**, but with a stronger emphasis on someone pretending to have high morals and virtue.
  * **[[阳奉阴违]] (yáng fèng yīn wéi):** A chengyu meaning "to outwardly obey but inwardly defy." This is a specific type of two-faced behavior, often seen in a hierarchical setting like a workplace or government.
  * **[[小人]] (xiǎo rén):** "Small person." A general term for a person of low moral character who is petty, selfish, and treacherous. A **两面派** is a classic example of a **小人**.
  * **[[真诚]] (zhēnchéng):** Sincere, genuine. A direct antonym.
  * **[[正直]] (zhèngzhí):** Upright, honest, a person of integrity. A direct antonym.