In daily conversation, you will hear common phrases that are meant to describe a situation or person but the meaning can easily get lost in the literal translation if you have never heard it before. So today I’ll introduce you to "耍嘴皮子 (shuǎzuǐpízi)."
Essentially, it can be used in a couple of different types of situations. One is for that person that talks about doing something but doesn't act upon those words. For example, there are people who boast about a great business idea and how they will get rich but never take steps to make it happen. We all have met somebody like this. They can be described as "耍嘴皮子 (shuǎzuǐpízi)." The other is someone who shows off their persuasive abilities.
Let’s break it down:
耍嘴皮子 (Shuǎzuǐpízi): mere empty talk, words without actions, talk glibly 
嘴皮子 (Zuǐpízi): lips of a glib talker
耍 (Shuǎ): frolic, play, amuse, play with
嘴 (Zuǐ): mouth, lips
皮 (Pí): skin, hide, fur, feather, outer
子 (Zi): offspring, child, fruit, the seed of
Take a look at some of these examples to solidify the various meanings and proper applications of "耍嘴皮子 (shuǎzuǐpízi)." In the first dialogue, it is interpreted as being all talk and no action. This is the most common use of the phrase.
Dialogue1:
Xiǎo Hóng: Xiǎo Míng, nǐ shàngcì tídào de jiànshēn jìhuà jìnxíng dé zěnmeyàng le?
小红：小明，你上次提到的健身计划进行得怎么样了？
Xiao Hong: Xiao Ming, how was the fitness plan that you mentioned last time?
Xiǎo Míng : Hái méi kāishǐ ne.
小明：还没开始呢。
Xiao Ming: It hasn't started yet.
Xiǎo Hóng: Guāng shuǎzuǐpízi shì búgòu de, nǐ děi xíngdòng qǐlái ya.
小红：光耍嘴皮子是不够的，你得行动起来呀。
Xiao Hong: It's not enough to just talk, you have to take action.
Yet, the alternative meaning is...Read More
