知人知面不知心
zhī​rén​zhī​miàn​bù​zhī​xīn

to know a person's face but not their heart

  1. 知人 zhī​rén
    to judge character
    to assess or understand a person's character, talents, and integrity
  2. 知 zhī verb
    to know
    to know; to be aware of; to realize or sense
  3. 面 miàn noun
    face
    face; personal esteem or reputation; (bound form) look; appearance
  4. 不知 bù​zhī verb
    not to know
    to not know; to be unaware of or have no idea about
  5. 心 xīn noun
    intention
    purpose; motive; moral character or disposition