A Cat Weeps Over a Dead Mouse

In Chinese, a cat weeps over a dead mouse (貓哭耗子假慈悲 Māo kū hàozi jiǎ cíbēi) is a commonly used colloquial phrase used to express false sympathy.

It’s rough English equivalent is “crying crocodile tears.” But everybody knows crocodiles can’t cry. It only looks like a crocodile might be shedding tears because they are wet from swimming in the water.

The Chinese expression “a cat weeping over a dead mouse” is commonly used to describe someone insincere in their emotions, much like the phrase “crying crocodile tears.”

But what does the phrase a cat weeping over a dead mouse actually mean in China?

Let’s have a look together.

Decoding a cat weeping over a mouse

耗子(hàozi) means “mouse,” which is a colloquial term in Chinese; 假 (jiǎ) means “fake,” 慈悲 (cíbēi) stands for “kindness and compassion.”

So 假慈悲 (jiǎ cíbēi） is “fake kindness,” which is performed for other people to see.

Cats and mice have been known to be natural enemies, and it’s common that when a mouse dies, a cat is usually responsible. Therefore, the phrase “a cat weeps over a dead mouse” refers to people who pretend to be sympathetic when they see others in difficult situations, even though they may actually be the cause of the situation or are secretly enjoying it.

Another example of when “a cat weeping over a dead mouse” can be used, is when a person committed many heinous acts in the past, but now pretends to be kind-hearted. The idiom can also be used to chastise someone during an angry outburst. It could be the speaker has misunderstood others or feels very angry at perceived fake compassion.

Examples

For example:

“While he was working for the company, you had a terrible attitude towards him. Now that he has resigned, you keep lamenting how he was so talented, and you feel so bad for him. Don’t be a cat weeping over a dead mouse.”

他在公司的時候，你對他態度那麼差，現在他辭職了，你有在這兒說什麼他是人才，可惜啊什麼的，別貓哭耗子假慈悲了。

Another example:

“If it wasn’t for you, how could he have done bad things? Now he’s imprisoned in your place. Will coming here to apologize change anything? You’re no more than a cat weeping over a dead mouse. We don’t want your pity.

如果不是因為你，他怎麼可能做壞事？現在他替你坐牢了，你來道歉有用嗎？少貓哭耗子假慈悲了，我們不要你的錢。

What are your thoughts on the Chinese idiom “a cat weeping over a dead mouse”? Do you think you’ll ever have the chance to use it?

Not finished reading? Take a look at Lord Ye’s Passion for Dragons to keep learning about Chinese idioms.