朝三暮四

zhāo sān mù sì

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Rare

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Definitions

1. lit. say three in the morning but four in the evening (idiom); to change sth that is already settled upon
2. indecisive

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Word relationships

Related words

1 item

• 朝令夕改 zhāo lìng xī gǎi 朝令夕改 zhāo lìng xī gǎi to make frequent or unpredictable changes in policy (idiom) 常指政策、规定多变: to make frequent or unpredictable changes in policy (idiom)

Synonyms

1 item

• 反复无常 fǎn fù wú cháng 反复无常 fǎn fù wú cháng unstable 形容变化不定: unstable

Usage notes

Collocations

常用于描述人的态度、决定、感情等，如“朝三暮四的爱情”。不能用于客观事物变化。

Common mistakes

注意“朝三暮四”与“朝秦暮楚”不同：“朝三暮四”强调反复无常，而“朝秦暮楚”强调立场不坚定、投机。

Example Sentences

1 shown

他对感情 朝三暮四 ，不可靠。

He is fickle in relationships and unreliable.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 朝三暮四

• 三 三 sān: three
• 四 四 sì: four
• 朝 朝 cháo: imperial or royal court
• 朝 朝 zhāo: morning
• 暮 暮 mù: evening