似是而非

• Pinyin: sì shì ér fēi
• Hanzi breakdown: 似 = 亻+ 以 — to seem, to resemble; 是 = 日 + 正 — to be, correct; 而 = pictograph of a beard — and yet, but; 非 = two diverging lines — not, wrong

Meaning

Seemingly correct but actually wrong; specious. Describes something that appears plausible or true on the surface but is fundamentally flawed or misleading upon closer examination.

A formal and slightly literary expression used in academic, journalistic, and critical writing to characterise arguments, claims, or reasoning that sound reasonable but do not withstand scrutiny. Closely related to the concept of sophistry. Serves as a warning to critically evaluate apparently sound logic.

Examples

1. 该报告提出的部分结论貌似合理，实则似是而非，经不起严格的数据验证与逻辑推敲。 Some of the report’s conclusions look reasonable on the surface, but in fact they’re misleading and don’t hold up to rigorous data validation and logical scrutiny.
2. 许多广告词巧妙运用似是而非的逻辑，使消费者产生产品功效远超实际的错误印象。 Many ad slogans cleverly use specious logic, leaving consumers with the false impression that a product’s effects far exceed reality.
3. 他的论点初听颇有道理，深究之下却发现其中充斥着似是而非的前提假设。 His argument sounded quite reasonable at first, but on closer examination it was full of questionable assumptions.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, critical writing, journalism, debate

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 学术论文中充斥着似是而非的论断，看似引经据典、有理有据，实则逻辑链条中存在根本性的谬误。(Academic papers can be riddled with specious assertions — they appear well-sourced and reasoned, yet contain fundamental errors within the logical chain.)
• 对于这类似是而非的政策解读，有责任感的媒体应当及时加以辨析，防止公众因误导性信息而做出错误判断。(Responsible media should promptly clarify such specious policy interpretations, preventing the public from making erroneous judgements based on misleading information.)

Don't Say

• 不要将 似是而非 与 模棱两可 混淆 — 模棱两可 指刻意含糊不清，而 似是而非 特指表面正确但实质错误的论断

Origin & History

似是 (seems to be correct) + 而非 (but is actually wrong) — appears to be right yet is actually wrong; a specious appearance masking a flawed reality

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal