Is There Any Person More Dangerous Than a Smiling Tiger Face?

There is a Chinese character that is used in many phrases. To me it is particularly beautiful, and Chinese it is particularly popular to use. And that character is "虎 (hǔ) tiger." (What does "母老虎" mean in China?)

There are many phrases that use this character, but one that is the most interesting of them all that we use here in China is used to describe someone who may appear to be a very nice person, but who is actually ready to strike, attack or threaten you, just like a tiger, at any moment.

This phrase is "笑面虎 (xiàomiànhǔ) a smiling tiger." It means smiling tiger face. It represents a person you really need to be careful of hanging around because you never know when he or she is going to threaten you. Yes, he or she may appear to be sweet and safe. But that is not the truth!

Let’s break this phrase down character by character so you can grasp its full meaning:
笑 (Xiào): v. smile; laugh; giggle; snicker. (Try a Chinese mini test about "笑")
面 (Miàn): n. face; surface; plane; side; dimension.
虎 (Hǔ): n. tiger; brave; fierce.
笑面虎 (Xiàomiànhǔ): smiling tiger; tiger with smiling face; wolf in sheep's clothing.

A smiling tiger is someone who is both cunning and sly. It is a person you need to be wary of. Do you know anyone who acts super nice, has a smiling face, but... Read More

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