Definition
冰山 literally means 'ice mountain' (iceberg), but it also carries a figurative meaning in Chinese: a person or group that seems reliable or supportive at first but cannot be relied on long-term—like an iceberg that melts away. This metaphor is common in colloquial speech and literature, often describing fair-weather friends or unstable alliances.
n.
iceberg(figurative) a person or group that is unreliable in the long runa temporary support
Examples
- 冰山。Tàitǎnníkè hào zhuàng shàng le yí zuò bīng shān.The Titanic struck an iceberg.
- 冰山，。Tā zài gōngsī lǐ zhǐshì yí zuò bīng shān, yì yǒu kùnnán jiù zǒu le.He is just an iceberg in the company—as soon as trouble comes, he leaves.
- ，冰山。Bié bǎ xīwàng dōu fàng zài tā shēnshang, tā shì yí zuò bīng shān.Don't put all your hope on him; he's an iceberg (unreliable).
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