Definition
居心叵测 is a formal four-character idiom (成语) used to describe someone whose intentions are impossible to fathom, often implying malicious or ulterior motives. It appears in literary, journalistic, or serious spoken contexts — you would not use it in casual conversation. The structure is subject + 居心叵测, or it can modify a noun with 的.
f.e.
having unfathomable intentionswith hidden motives (often malicious)
Examples
- 居心叵测，。Zhège rén jū xīn pǒ cè, nǐ yào xiǎoxīn.This person has hidden intentions — you should be careful.
- 居心叵测。Tā jū xīn pǒ cè de xíngwéi ràng rén nányǐ xìnrèn.His behavior, with its hidden motives, makes it hard to trust him.
- ，居心叵测，。Zài shāngyè tánpàn zhōng, duìshǒu jū xīn pǒ cè, wǒmen bìxū dīfang.In business negotiations, the opponent's intentions are unfathomable — we must be on guard.
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