似是而非

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"似是而非" is a four-character idiom used to describe statements, ideas, or explanations that appear to be correct or reasonable at first glance but are actually wrong or misleading. It often implies subtle errors or deceptive appearances.

Common Contexts

This phrase is frequently used in academic discussions, debates, or critiques where arguments may superficially seem valid but fail under scrutiny.

Typical Collocations

Usage Notes

When using "似是而非," speakers often want to warn others to be cautious and not accept things at face value. It carries a slightly negative tone, suggesting skepticism.

Avoiding Confusion

Do not confuse "似是而非" with simply "正确" (incorrect). The idiom emphasizes the deceptive appearance of correctness, not just being wrong outright.

Example Sentences

His explanation sounds plausible but is actually incorrect, making it hard

The viewpoints in this article seem correct but are actually misleading and

What he said sounds plausible but actually lacks factual basis.