Significado
Being hypocritical or insincere.
Contexto cultural
In Romanian villages, 'omenie' (humanity/integrity) is the highest virtue. Being 'cu două fețe' is the antithesis of 'omenie'. There is a shared cultural sensitivity to 'masks' due to a history of foreign occupations where appearing one way to authorities was necessary. The phrase is heavily used to describe the 'fake' politeness often found in multinational companies in Bucharest. Famous playwright I.L. Caragiale created many characters who are 'cu două fețe', satirizing the politics of the 19th century.
Use 'A avea'
If you forget 'a fi cu', you can always say 'are două fețe'. It's just as common!
It's an insult
Be careful! Calling someone 'cu două fețe' to their face will likely start a fight.
Significado
Being hypocritical or insincere.
Use 'A avea'
If you forget 'a fi cu', you can always say 'are două fețe'. It's just as common!
It's an insult
Be careful! Calling someone 'cu două fețe' to their face will likely start a fight.
The Opposite
To praise someone for being the opposite, call them 'un om dintr-o bucată' (a person from one piece).
Social Media
In Romania, 'fake' is often used as a loanword for this, but 'cu două fețe' sounds much more descriptive and 'Romanian'.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Nu am încredere în el. Cred că este cu ____ fețe.
'Față' is feminine, so we use 'două'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to describe a hypocrite?
Cum descrii o persoană ipocrită?
The idiom specifically uses 'două fețe' to represent hypocrisy.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Maria îți zâmbește, dar îi spune șefului că nu muncești.
This is a classic example of two-faced behavior.
Complete the dialogue.
A: De ce nu mai ești prieten cu Ion? B: Pentru că am aflat că ____.
Being two-faced is a common reason to end a friendship.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Honest vs. Two-Faced
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosNu am încredere în el. Cred că este cu ____ fețe.
'Față' is feminine, so we use 'două'.
Cum descrii o persoană ipocrită?
The idiom specifically uses 'două fețe' to represent hypocrisy.
Maria îți zâmbește, dar îi spune șefului că nu muncești.
This is a classic example of two-faced behavior.
A: De ce nu mai ești prieten cu Ion? B: Pentru că am aflat că ____.
Being two-faced is a common reason to end a friendship.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, it is a direct accusation of being a liar and a hypocrite.
No, for a coin use 'o monedă are două fețe'.
The phrase itself is already plural ('fețe'). If describing multiple people, just change the verb: 'Ei sunt cu două fețe'.
Yes, 'ești fals' or 'ești prefăcut'.
Only to describe what you *don't* like in a workplace. Don't call the interviewer that!
You say 'un om cu două fețe'.
Very often, especially in classic Romanian literature to describe villains.
No, it means they are dishonest, not that they have a mental illness.
No, that's not a standard idiom, though people would understand you're saying they are even worse!
Yes, it's used all over Romania.
Frases relacionadas
A juca la două capete
similarTo play both sides.
A fi duplicitar
synonymTo be duplicitous.
A purta mască
similarTo wear a mask.
A fi dintr-o bucată
contrastTo be made of one piece.
