城府深沉 chéng fǔ shēn chén Deep and inscrutable

Explanation

形容人深谋远虑，不轻易流露感情，心思难以捉摸。

Describes someone who is far-sighted and thoughtful, does not easily reveal their emotions, and whose thoughts are difficult to guess.

Origin Story

老张是位经验丰富的老商人，他总是沉默寡言，让人难以捉摸他的真实想法。一次生意谈判中，对手公司开出了一个极具诱惑力的条件，但老张始终面不改色，只是静静地听着，偶尔点点头。对方以为他已经动心，便乘胜追击，加码施压。然而，老张最终以一个出人意料的价格成交，让对手大吃一惊。事后，有人问老张是如何做到不动声色的，老张只是微微一笑，说道：“做生意，城府深沉是必要的。”

lǎo zhāng shì wèi jīngyàn fēngfù de lǎo shāngrén, tā zǒng shì chénmò guǎyán, ràng rén nán yǐ zhuōmō tā de zhēnshí xiǎngfǎ. yī cì shēngyì tánpàn zhōng, duìshǒu gōngsī kāi chū le yīgè jí jù yòuhùo lì de tiáojiàn, dàn lǎo zhāng shǐzhōng miàn bù gǎisè, zhǐshì jìngjìng de tīngzhe, ǒu'ěr diǎndiǎn tóu. duìfāng yǐwéi tā yǐ jìngxīn, biàn chéngshèng zhuījī, jiā mǎ shīyā. rán'ér, lǎo zhāng zuìzhōng yǐ yīgè chū rén yìliào de jiàgé chéngjiāo, ràng duìshǒu dà chī yījīng. shìhòu, yǒurén wèn lǎo zhāng shì rúhé zuòdào bù dòng shēngsè de, lǎo zhāng zhǐshì wēi wēi yī xiào, shuōdào: “zuò shēngyì, chéngfǔ shēnchén shì bìyào de.”

Old Zhang is an experienced old businessman. He is always taciturn, making it difficult for others to guess his true thoughts. During a business negotiation, the rival company offered a very tempting condition, but Old Zhang remained calm and listened quietly, occasionally nodding. The other party thought he was already moved and pressed on. However, Old Zhang finally made the deal at an unexpected price, surprising his opponent. Later, someone asked Old Zhang how he could remain calm, Old Zhang just smiled slightly and said, "In business, being deep is necessary."

Usage

用于形容人深沉稳重，不易被看穿心思。

yòng yú xiáoshù rén shēnchén wěnzòng, bù yì bèi kànchuān xīnsī

Used to describe someone who is deep, calm, and not easily seen through.

Examples

• 他城府深沉，让人难以捉摸。

  tā chéngfǔ shēnchén, ràng rén nán yǐ zhuōmō.

  He is deep and inscrutable.

• 这个老谋深算的人城府很深。

  zhège lǎomóushēnsuàn de rén chéngfǔ hěn shēn.

  This cunning man has a deep secret.

Related Idioms

• 深不可测

• 老谋深算

Opposite Idioms

• 胸无城府