completely lacking any feeling or sense of justice (idiom); cold and ruthless
HSK 7, unknown, rank #37508, Very Hard
wúqíngwúyì(wu2qing2wu2yi4) T2
1completely lacking any feeling or sense of justice (idiom); cold and ruthless
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March 24, 2026
无情无义(無情無義)wúqíngwúyì(wu2qing2wu2yi4)
The idiom 无情无义 describes someone who is devoid of emotions and lacks a sense of justice or loyalty. It is commonly used to characterize individuals who are cold-hearted and ruthless in their actions, particularly in relationships or ethical matters.
Frequency#37508DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, loyalty and emotional connections are highly valued. Describing someone as 无情无义 suggests a severe breach of these cultural norms, often drawing negative judgment from society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a heart (情) that is completely empty (无) and a scale of justice (义) that is tipped over, symbolizing a total absence of feelings and fairness. The repetition of '无' emphasizes the complete lack of these qualities.
Meanings of 无情无义
wúqíngwúyì(wu2qing2wu2yi4)
1completely lacking any feeling or sense of justice (idiom); cold and ruthless
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About 无情无义
无情无义Simplified
無情無義Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 无情无义
Podcast: 无情无义
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AI Study Notes for 无情无义
Quick Contrast
无情 (cold-hearted) vs 冷酷 (cruel) — use 无情 when emphasizing lack of emotional attachment, while 冷酷 highlights a harsher, more ruthless demeanor.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a heart (情) that is completely empty (无) and a scale of justice (义) that is tipped over, symbolizing a total absence of feelings and fairness. The repetition of '无' emphasizes the complete lack of these qualities.
Usage Notes
This phrase is typically used in negative contexts to critique someone's behavior, especially in formal discussions about morality. Avoid using it lightly, as it carries strong connotations of moral judgment. Common collocations include '无情无义的人' (cold and ruthless person).
HSK Study Tips
While this idiom is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance comprehension of advanced texts, especially in literature or discussions about character. Focus on recognizing the individual characters and their meanings.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, loyalty and emotional connections are highly valued. Describing someone as 无情无义 suggests a severe breach of these cultural norms, often drawing negative judgment from society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 无情无义 with similar phrases that have a less severe meaning, such as 冷淡 (lěngdàn), which means indifferent. Remember, 无情无义 implies a much harsher judgment of character.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 无情无义
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Cultural Notes for 无情无义
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, loyalty and emotional connections are highly valued. Describing someone as 无情无义 suggests a severe breach of these cultural norms, often drawing negative judgment from society.
Frequently Asked Questions about 无情无义
It's best to reserve this phrase for more serious situations, as it implies a complete lack of loyalty or emotion.
The opposite would be something like 情深义重, which describes someone who is deeply emotional and loyal.
It's more commonly found in literature or formal discussions than in casual conversation.
