背信弃义

背信棄義

bèixìnqìyì

idiom #21,477

Meanings

1 to break faith
2 to betray one's word
3 to act treacherously
4 perfidy

Characters

to turn one's back on / to betray

trust / faith / promise

to abandon / to give up

righteousness / moral duty / loyalty

Examples

他背信弃义，出卖了自己的朋友。

Tā bèixìn qì yì, chūmài le zìjǐ de péngyou.

He broke faith and betrayed his own friends.

背信弃义之人不值得信任。

Bèixìn qì yì zhī rén bù zhídé xìnrèn.

A person who betrays their word is not worthy of trust.

Tips

memory

Break it down: 背 (to turn one's back on) + 信 (trust / promise) + 弃 (to abandon) + 义 (righteousness / loyalty). To turn your back on trust and abandon righteousness — a vivid picture of betrayal.

Stroke Order

背 bēi

信 xìn

弃 qì

义 yì