Meaning of 外强中干
外强中干 means outwardly strong but inwardly weak; strong in appearance but weak in reality; imposing in appearance but lacking substance. Pronounced wài qiáng zhōng gān.
- outwardly strong but inwardly weak; strong in appearance but weak in reality; imposing in appearance but lacking substance
Definitions & Examples
Zhè这
zhī支
qiú球
duì队
kàn看
qǐ起
lái来
zhèn阵
róng容
qiáng强
dà大
，
shí实
jì际
shàng上
shì是
wài外
qiáng强
zhōng中
gān干
，
méi没
shén什
me么
jìng竞
zhēng争
lì力
。
This team looks strong on paper, but it's actually outwardly strong and inwardly weak, with little real competitiveness.
Bù不
yào要
bèi被
tā他
de的
qì气
shì势
xià吓
dǎo倒
，
tā他
zhǐ只
shì是
wài外
qiáng强
zhōng中
gān干
bà罢
le了
。
Don't be intimidated by his imposing manner; he's just putting on a brave face while being weak inside.
Zhè这
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
cái财
wù务
zhuàng状
kuàng况
hěn很
chà差
，
zhǐ只
shì是
wài外
qiáng强
zhōng中
gān干
，
hěn很
kuài快
jiù就
huì会
dǎo倒
bì闭
。
This company's financial situation is very poor; it's only strong in appearance but weak in reality, and will go bankrupt soon.
Nà那
gè个
guó国
jiā家
suī虽
rán然
jūn军
fèi费
kāi开
zhī支
jù巨
dà大
，
dàn但
guó国
nèi内
jīng经
jì济
xiāo萧
tiáo条
，
zhēn真
shì是
wài外
qiáng强
zhōng中
gān干
。
Although that country spends huge amounts on military expenses, its domestic economy is depressed; it is truly outwardly strong but inwardly weak.