不负责任
Someone who is irresponsible does not care about the consequences of their actions.
Explanation at your level:
If you are irresponsible, you do not do what you should. For example, if you have homework but you do not do it, that is irresponsible. You should be careful with your things and your promises. Being irresponsible is not good because it can make other people sad or angry. Try to be a good friend and do your best!
Being irresponsible means you don't think about what happens after you do something. If you leave a door open and your cat runs away, that is an irresponsible action. People who are irresponsible often forget their duties at home or at school. It is important to be reliable so that people can trust you. Always try to think before you act!
When someone is described as irresponsible, it means they are not acting in a way that shows they understand their duties. In a workplace, an irresponsible employee might miss deadlines or ignore safety rules. It’s a negative word that suggests a lack of maturity. If you want to be successful, you should avoid irresponsible behavior and show that you are dependable and accountable for your work.
The term irresponsible is often used to criticize someone's lack of judgment. It’s not just about forgetting things; it’s about a failure to consider the consequences of one's actions. For instance, 'It was irresponsible of him to drive after drinking.' This usage highlights that the person had a choice and chose to ignore their social or legal obligations. It’s a powerful word in professional and social critiques.
In advanced English, irresponsible is frequently used in political or corporate discourse to describe systemic failures. You might read that a government’s economic policy was 'grossly irresponsible' because it ignored long-term debt. The nuance here is that the subject is not just careless, but potentially negligent. It implies a breach of trust between the actor and the public. Using this word effectively allows you to convey strong disapproval in a sophisticated, structured manner.
At the C2 level, irresponsible functions as a marker of moral or ethical assessment. It transcends simple 'carelessness' and enters the realm of culpability. In literary or academic contexts, one might discuss the 'irresponsible nature of the protagonist's hubris,' suggesting a deep-seated flaw that leads to tragedy. The word carries the weight of accountability, rooted in the Latin respondere. It serves as a linguistic tool to hold individuals, institutions, or even abstract concepts accountable for their failure to align with societal norms or ethical mandates.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Means failing to show a sense of duty.
- Used to describe people, behavior, or decisions.
- Usually carries a negative, critical tone.
- Rooted in the Latin word for 'to answer'.
Hey there! Let's talk about the word irresponsible. At its core, this word is all about a lack of duty or care. When someone acts in an irresponsible way, they aren't thinking about how their choices might hurt other people or create a mess.
Think of it as the opposite of being reliable. If you are supposed to feed the dog but you go play games instead, that is an irresponsible choice. It’s not just about making mistakes; it’s about a pattern of not taking your obligations seriously. It’s a pretty strong word, so be careful when you use it—it can sound quite judgmental!
The word irresponsible is a great example of how prefixes work in English. It comes from the Latin responsus, which is the past participle of respondere, meaning 'to answer' or 'to promise in return.' This is the same root we see in 'respond' and 'responsible.'
The prefix ir- is a variation of in-, which means 'not.' So, etymologically, an irresponsible person is someone who is 'not able to answer' for their actions. It entered the English language in the early 17th century. Over time, it evolved from simply meaning 'not answering' to describing someone who lacks the moral weight to be held accountable for their duties.
You’ll mostly hear irresponsible used to describe people, behavior, or decisions. It’s very common in news reports when discussing accidents or poor management. For example, you might hear about 'irresponsible behavior' or an 'irresponsible parent.'
It’s a formal-to-neutral word. You wouldn't usually use it in a casual chat with your best friend unless you are genuinely upset about something. Instead of saying 'He is being irresponsible,' a friend might just say 'He's being really careless.' Remember, it carries a sense of blame, so use it when you want to highlight that someone should have known better.
While 'irresponsible' isn't the star of many idioms, it shows up in phrases describing lack of care. 1. Play fast and loose: To act in an irresponsible or reckless way. 2. Drop the ball: To fail to do something you were responsible for. 3. Leave someone in the lurch: To abandon someone in an irresponsible way. 4. Cut corners: To do things in an irresponsible, hurried way to save time. 5. Wash one's hands of: To refuse to take responsibility for something anymore.
Grammatically, irresponsible is an adjective. It follows standard patterns: 'He is irresponsible' or 'That was an irresponsible decision.' It does not have a plural form because it describes a quality. The IPA is /ˌɪrɪˈspɒnsəbl/ in British English and /ˌɪrɪˈspɑːnsəbl/ in American English.
The stress is on the second syllable: ir-re-SPON-si-ble. It rhymes loosely with 'sensible' (which is the direct antonym!). When using it, always place it before the noun or after a linking verb like 'is,' 'are,' or 'seems.'
Fun Fact
The 'ir-' prefix is a classic Latin negation used before words starting with 'r'.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'o' in 'spon' is a short, open sound.
The 'a' in 'spon' is a long, open 'ah' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'r' too softly.
- Skipping the 'i' in the middle.
- Stressing the wrong syllable.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Commonly used
Clear pronunciation
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Adjective usage
He is irresponsible.
Prefixes
ir- = not
Linking verbs
He seems irresponsible.
Examples by Level
It is irresponsible to not do homework.
Not doing homework is bad.
Adjective usage.
He is an irresponsible boy.
He is not careful.
Noun modification.
Don't be irresponsible.
Try to be careful.
Imperative sentence.
That was irresponsible.
That action was not good.
Past tense.
Is he irresponsible?
Does he not care?
Question form.
Being irresponsible is bad.
It is not a good trait.
Gerund subject.
They are irresponsible people.
They don't take care.
Plural agreement.
She feels irresponsible today.
She is not doing her duty.
Linking verb.
It was irresponsible of him to leave the door unlocked.
She made an irresponsible decision about her money.
Don't be so irresponsible with your new phone.
It is irresponsible to drive too fast.
His irresponsible behavior caused a big problem.
I don't like working with irresponsible people.
The company was irresponsible regarding the environment.
It is irresponsible to ignore the rules.
The manager's irresponsible attitude led to the team's failure.
It is highly irresponsible to leave children unattended.
Many people consider his spending habits to be irresponsible.
The government was criticized for its irresponsible fiscal policy.
She felt it was irresponsible to promise something she couldn't deliver.
An irresponsible driver can cause a lot of damage.
He apologized for his irresponsible comments in the meeting.
It is irresponsible to spread rumors without checking facts.
The media was accused of irresponsible reporting during the crisis.
It is deeply irresponsible to dismiss the scientific evidence.
His decision to quit without a plan was seen as quite irresponsible.
The report highlights the irresponsible use of natural resources.
It would be irresponsible to ignore the warning signs.
She was fired for her irresponsible conduct at the office.
The board of directors acted in an irresponsible manner.
It is irresponsible to gamble with your family's future savings.
The CEO’s irresponsible leadership nearly bankrupted the entire corporation.
Such an irresponsible disregard for safety protocols is unacceptable.
The politician's irresponsible rhetoric inflamed the crowd.
It is profoundly irresponsible to treat public health with such indifference.
The court found the defendant guilty of irresponsible negligence.
His irresponsible pursuit of fame left his personal life in ruins.
The article provides a critique of irresponsible environmental practices.
We must hold the parties accountable for their irresponsible actions.
The author paints a portrait of an irresponsible aristocrat oblivious to his subjects' suffering.
The systemic failure was the result of long-term, irresponsible governance.
To describe the act as merely 'careless' would be to ignore the inherently irresponsible nature of the decision.
The philosophical debate centers on the irresponsible abandonment of moral duty.
Critics argue that the artist's lifestyle was an irresponsible rejection of social norms.
The historical record shows an irresponsible escalation of the conflict.
Such irresponsible behavior is symptomatic of a deeper cultural malaise.
The judge condemned the defendant's irresponsible lack of remorse.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"Play fast and loose"
To act in an irresponsible or reckless way.
He plays fast and loose with the company money.
casual"Drop the ball"
To fail to do something you were responsible for.
I really dropped the ball on that project.
casual"Leave in the lurch"
To abandon someone in an irresponsible way.
He left his team in the lurch before the deadline.
neutral"Cut corners"
To do things in an irresponsible, hurried way.
Don't cut corners on your safety training.
neutral"Wash one's hands of"
To refuse to take responsibility anymore.
I wash my hands of this whole situation.
neutral"Take for granted"
To fail to appreciate or act responsibly toward something.
Don't take your health for granted.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar prefix and sound.
Unresponsive means not replying; irresponsible means not caring.
He was unresponsive to my email (didn't reply).
Starts with 'irre'.
Irreverent means showing no respect for sacred things.
He made an irreverent joke.
Starts with 'irre'.
Irrelevant means not important to the topic.
That point is irrelevant.
Starts with 'irre'.
Irresistible means you cannot stop yourself from wanting it.
The cake was irresistible.
Sentence Patterns
It is irresponsible of [person] to [verb]
It is irresponsible of him to lie.
Subject + is + irresponsible
He is irresponsible.
An irresponsible + noun
An irresponsible decision.
Act in an irresponsible way
Don't act in an irresponsible way.
Consider + noun + to be + irresponsible
I consider his actions to be irresponsible.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
Irresponsible implies a lack of care, not just a lack of time.
They sound similar but mean totally different things.
Irresponsible is an adjective, not a noun.
Irresponsible usually applies to people or their choices.
Adverbs describe verbs; adjectives describe nouns.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'Responsible' person holding a shield, and an 'Irresponsible' person dropping it.
When Native Speakers Use It
When someone fails to do a task they promised to do.
Cultural Insight
It is often used in news to blame leaders.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'is/are' before it.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'SPON' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a noun!
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin word for 'answer'.
Study Smart
Learn it alongside 'Responsible'.
Contextual Learning
Read news articles for usage.
IPA Practice
Listen to the IPA online.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
I-R-RE-SPON-SI-BLE: I Really Should Promise Something I Believe (in) - but I don't!
Visual Association
A person dropping a ball they were supposed to hold.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Write three sentences about things you think are irresponsible.
Wortherkunft
Latin
Original meaning: Not able to answer for one's actions.
Kultureller Kontext
It is a judgmental word; use it carefully to avoid sounding aggressive.
Commonly used in professional and academic feedback.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- irresponsible management
- irresponsible deadline
- irresponsible behavior
At home
- irresponsible child
- irresponsible parenting
- irresponsible chores
In politics
- irresponsible policy
- irresponsible leaders
- irresponsible spending
Daily life
- irresponsible driver
- irresponsible comment
- irresponsible choice
Conversation Starters
"What do you think is the most irresponsible thing a person can do?"
"Have you ever been called irresponsible?"
"How can parents teach children not to be irresponsible?"
"Is it irresponsible to take risks in business?"
"What is an example of an irresponsible government policy?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you saw someone acting in an irresponsible way.
How do you ensure you are responsible instead of irresponsible?
Reflect on a time you were irresponsible and what you learned.
Describe the traits of a responsible person vs. an irresponsible one.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenIt is a negative word that expresses criticism.
Yes, but be careful as it is very direct.
Irresponsibility.
ir-re-SPON-si-ble.
Not exactly; lazy is about lack of effort, irresponsible is about lack of care.
Yes, that is a common collocation.
It is neutral and acceptable in most contexts.
No, it is an adjective.
Teste dich selbst
It is ___ to leave the water running.
Irresponsible describes a bad choice.
Which means the same as irresponsible?
Careless is a synonym.
Irresponsible is a positive word.
It is usually negative.
Word
Bedeutung
These are opposites.
Sentence structure: It + is + adj + that...
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
Irresponsible means not taking care of your duties, and it is the opposite of being responsible.
- Means failing to show a sense of duty.
- Used to describe people, behavior, or decisions.
- Usually carries a negative, critical tone.
- Rooted in the Latin word for 'to answer'.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'Responsible' person holding a shield, and an 'Irresponsible' person dropping it.
When Native Speakers Use It
When someone fails to do a task they promised to do.
Cultural Insight
It is often used in news to blame leaders.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'is/are' before it.
Beispiel
他的行为非常不负责任。
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