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出爾反爾. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
出爾反爾, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
出爾反爾 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
出爾反爾 you have here. The definition of the word
出爾反爾 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
出爾反爾, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Chinese
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to go out; to come out; to occur to go out; to come out; to occur; to produce; to go beyond; to rise; to put forth; to happen; (a measure word for dramas, plays, or operas) |
you
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to return
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you
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| trad. (出爾反爾)
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出
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爾
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反
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爾
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| simp. (出尔反尔)
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出
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尔
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反
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尔
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| Literally: “What comes from you, goes back to you”.
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Etymology
From Mencius (《孟子·梁惠王下》). Originally means "you get treated in the same way that you treat others". Now "to contradict oneself".
曾子曰：『戒之戒之！出乎爾者，反乎爾者也。』夫民今而後得反之也。
曾子曰：『戒之戒之！出乎尔者，反乎尔者也。』夫民今而后得反之也。 - From: Mencius, c. 4th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Céngzǐ yuē: ‘Jiè zhī jiè zhī! Chū hū ěr zhě, fǎn hū ěr zhě yě.’ Fú mín jīn ér hòu dé fǎn zhī yě.
- The philosopher Zeng said, "Beware, beware. What proceeds from you, will return to you again." Now at length the people have paid back the conduct of their officers to them.
Pronunciation
Idiom
出爾反爾
- to break a promise
Synonyms