in one's heart of hearts; in essence; inherently
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
at heart; in essence; true nature
neutralRefers to a person's true character, thoughts, or intentions, which may be hidden beneath the surface. Often used figuratively, not literally about bones.
Tā他
biǎo表
miàn面
shàng上
bú不
dòng动
shēng声
sè色
，
gǔ骨
zi子
lǐ里
què却
zǎo早
yǒu有
dǎ打
suàn算
。
He appeared calm on the surface, but deep down he had already made plans.
Bié别
kàn看
tā他
zǒng总
shì是
xiào笑
xī嘻
xī嘻
de的
，
gǔ骨
zi子
lǐ里
shì是
gè个
hěn很
gù固
zhí执
de的
rén人
。
Don't be fooled by his constant smiling; he's a very stubborn person at heart.
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Zhè这
gè个
jì计
huà划
biǎo表
miàn面
shàng上
shì是
wèi为
le了
shěng省
qián钱
，
gǔ骨
zi子
lǐ里
shì是
zài在
xuē削
jiǎn减
yuán员
gōng工
fú福
lì利
。
On the surface, this plan is about saving money, but in essence, it's cutting employee benefits.
Tā她
gǔ骨
zi子
lǐ里
jiù就
shì是
gè个
yì艺
shù术
jiā家
，
duì对
měi美
yǒu有
zhe着
tiān天
shēng生
de的
mǐn敏
gǎn感
。
She is an artist at heart, with a natural sensitivity to beauty.