a sharp tongue but a soft heart
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesproverb
a sharp tongue but a soft heart; words like a knife, heart like tofu
neutralUsed to describe someone whose words are harsh and critical but whose intentions are kind and compassionate. Often said to excuse or explain the harsh speech of a good-hearted person.
Bié别
pà怕
tā她
pī批
píng评
nǐ你
，
tā她
jiù就
shì是
dāo刀
zi子
zuǐ嘴
，
dòu豆
fu腐
xīn心
，
qí其
shí实
shì是
wèi为
nǐ你
hǎo好
。
Don't be afraid of her criticizing you; she has a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and she actually means well for you.
Wǒ我
mā妈
ma妈
diǎn典
xíng型
de的
dāo刀
zi子
zuǐ嘴
，
dòu豆
fu腐
xīn心
，
mà骂
wán完
wǒ我
zhuǎn转
tóu头
jiù就
gěi给
wǒ我
zuò做
le了
yī一
zhuō桌
hǎo好
chī吃
de的
。
My mom is a classic case of a sharp tongue and a soft heart; after scolding me, she immediately turned around and cooked me a whole table of delicious food.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Tā他
jiù就
shì是
zuǐ嘴
bù不
ráo饶
rén人
，
qí其
shí实
shì是
dāo刀
zi子
zuǐ嘴
，
dòu豆
fu腐
xīn心
，
bāng帮
le了
nǐ你
hěn很
duō多
máng忙
。
He just can't help but speak harshly, but he actually has a sharp tongue and a soft heart, and has helped you a lot.
Dāo刀
zi子
zuǐ嘴
，
dòu豆
fu腐
xīn心
de的
rén人
wǎng往
wǎng往
róng容
yì易
ràng让
rén人
wù误
huì会
。
People with sharp tongues and soft hearts are often easily misunderstood.