改头换面
gǎi tóu huàn miàn
to change the look but not the substance
Character by character
改gǎi
change
change
头tóu
head
head
换huàn
swap
swap
面miàn
face
face
Example
这本“新书”不过是把几本旧教材改头换面，重新出版了一次。
This “new book” is just a few old textbooks with a new face, published all over again.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
Something given a new appearance while it stays the same underneath, often with 换汤不换药 (lesson 3-11) close by. Do not use it for a real transformation: for that say 脱胎换骨 (lesson 3-16) or 焕然一新 (lesson 7-1).
Learn this in Lesson 186 · HSK 7–9: 从山寨到原创 (From knock-offs to originals)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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