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无情无义 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
无情无义wúqíngwúyìcompletely lacking any feeling or sense of justice (idiom); cold and ruthlessHSK 7, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #37508, Very Hard
wúqíngwúyì(wu2qing2wu2yi4) T2
  1. 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.

Strokes22Frequency#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
22Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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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.

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.

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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Idiom Spotlight: 无情无义

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:no feelings no righteousness

Component Characters

无wú-less
HSK 44 strokes无
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情qíngfeeling
HSK 711 strokes忄
View full entry
无wú-less
HSK 44 strokes无
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义yìjustice
HSK 53 strokes丿
View full entry

How to say completely lacking any feeling or sense of justice (idiom); cold and ruthless in Chinese

“completely lacking any feeling or sense of justice (idiom); cold and ruthless” in Chinese is无情无义wúqíngwúyì

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.

When to use 无情无义

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).

无情无义 or something close to it

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.

What learners get wrong

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.

Write 无情无义

无
情
无
义

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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.

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