表里如一

表裡如一

biǎolǐ-rúyī

idiom #29,421

Meanings

1 to be the same inside and out
2 consistent in thought and action
3 what you see is what you get

Characters

outside; exterior; surface; to express

inside; interior; inner

like; as; to be like

one; unified; the same

Examples

HSK 3

我们需要一个表里如一的领导人。

Wǒmen xūyào yīgè biǎolǐrúyī de lǐngdǎorén.

We need a leader whose words and actions are consistent.

HSK 7-9

他表里如一，从不说言不由衷的话。

Tā biǎolǐrúyī, cóngbù shuō yánbùyóuzhōng dehuà.

He is the same inside and out - he never says things he doesn't mean.

Tips

usage

表里如一 is high praise for a person's integrity. 表 (outside/appearance) and 里 (inside/inner self) being 如一 (as one/the same) means there's no gap between how someone appears and who they really are.

Stroke Order

表 biǎo

里 lǐ

如 rú

一 yī