When someone is 无情 (wúqíng), it means they don't show any kindness or sympathy. They might be very cold or harsh in how they act. Imagine someone who is completely uncaring, even when others are suffering. That's being 无情.
When we say someone or something is “无情” (wú qíng), we mean they are merciless, heartless, or ruthless. It implies a lack of human empathy or compassion. Think of it as being devoid of feeling, especially in a negative or harsh way. For example, you might describe a natural disaster as “无情” because it shows no regard for human life or property. Similarly, a person who acts without any consideration for others' feelings could be called “无情”. It’s a strong word to convey a sense of coldness or indifference.
§ Understanding '无情'
You might think 'merciless' or 'heartless' sounds pretty dramatic, and sometimes it is! But 无情 (wúqíng) is used in a surprisingly wide range of situations in Chinese, not just for super evil villains. It can describe people, actions, or even abstract concepts. Let's break down where you'll actually hear this word.
§ In the workplace
In a work context, 无情 often describes a management style or a decision that prioritizes results above all else, even if it means being tough on employees or cutting losses. It's not always negative; sometimes it implies being decisive and not letting emotions get in the way of business.
- Example 1
- A company laying off employees for cost-cutting measures might be described as 无情.
为了节省开支，公司无情地解雇了许多员工。
- Translation hint
- To save costs, the company mercilessly (or ruthlessly) laid off many employees.
- Example 2
- A manager who makes tough decisions without showing personal favoritism.
他是一个无情的领导，只看业绩不看交情。
- Translation hint
- He is a ruthless leader, only looking at performance, not personal relationships.
§ At school
While you're less likely to hear 无情 describing a teacher's grading (unless it's truly harsh!), it can be used for things like the competitive nature of exams or the difficulty of academic challenges.
- Example 3
- The college entrance exam is often described as 无情 because of its high stakes and difficulty.
高考是无情的，它决定了许多学生的未来。
- Translation hint
- The college entrance exam is merciless (or unforgiving), it determines the future of many students.
§ In the news
News reports frequently use 无情 to describe natural disasters, acts of violence, or harsh policies. It's used to convey the severity and lack of compassion in these events.
- Natural disasters: Floods, earthquakes, or storms can be 无情 in their destruction.
- Violence/Crime: Describing a perpetrator or an act as 无情 emphasizes its cruelty.
- Policies: Government policies that appear harsh or lack empathy for certain groups might be called 无情.
- Example 4
- A news report on a devastating earthquake.
无情的地震摧毁了无数家园。
- Translation hint
- The merciless earthquake destroyed countless homes.
- Example 5
- A report on an attack where the attacker showed no remorse.
袭击者无情地对待受害者，没有任何怜悯。
- Translation hint
- The attacker ruthlessly treated the victims, without any mercy.
§ Beyond the literal: 无情 for abstract things
Sometimes 无情 doesn't describe a person's lack of emotion, but the inherent nature of something that doesn't care about human feelings or struggles.
- Example 6
- Time is often described as 无情 because it passes relentlessly, regardless of our wishes.
时间是无情的，一去不复返。
- Translation hint
- Time is merciless (or relentless), once gone, it never returns.
So, 无情 isn't just about being a mean person. It's about a lack of feeling or consideration, whether that's from a person, a system, or even something abstract like time or fate. Pay attention to the context, and you'll quickly grasp its nuances.
How Formal Is It?
"他对犯人冷酷无情，从不手软。"
"战争是无情的，它夺走了无数生命。"
"你真是铁石心肠，连看都不看他一眼。"
"那个坏蛋把小动物赶走了。"
"他做事真狠，一点情面都不讲。"
Aussprachehilfe
- confusing with similar-sounding tones
Beispiele nach Niveau
他很无情。
He is merciless.
她无情地说了再见。
She said goodbye heartlessly.
这个冬天很无情。
This winter is very ruthless.
时间是无情的。
Time is merciless.
他做事情很无情。
He does things very ruthlessly.
不要那么无情。
Don't be so merciless.
他有一个无情的计划。
He has a ruthless plan.
这是一个无情的决定。
This is a heartless decision.
他对自己的敌人总是那么无情。
He is always so merciless towards his enemies.
大自然有时是无情的，一场地震摧毁了整个村庄。
Nature can be ruthless sometimes; an earthquake destroyed the whole village.
时间是无情的，它不会为任何人停留。
Time is merciless; it won't stop for anyone.
她无情地拒绝了他的求婚，让他非常伤心。
She heartlessly rejected his proposal, which made him very sad.
这个老板对员工的要求非常严格，甚至有些无情。
This boss is very strict with employees, even a bit ruthless.
历史的洪流是无情的，它冲刷着一切旧事物。
The current of history is merciless; it washes away all old things.
他用无情的眼神看着我，让我感到一丝寒意。
He looked at me with merciless eyes, which sent a chill down my spine.
在商场上，竞争是无情的，只有强者才能生存。
In the business world, competition is ruthless; only the strong can survive.
他对任何人都很无情，从不考虑别人的感受。
He is merciless to everyone, never considering others' feelings.
战争的无情摧毁了无数家庭。
The mercilessness of war destroyed countless families.
自然界是无情的，弱肉强食是其基本法则。
Nature is ruthless; survival of the fittest is its basic law.
他用无情的手段达到了自己的目的。
He achieved his goals through ruthless means.
面对灾难，时间是无情的，不给人任何喘息的机会。
In the face of disaster, time is merciless, offering no respite.
商场如战场，竞争是无情的。
The business world is like a battlefield; competition is ruthless.
历史的洪流是无情的，任何人都无法阻挡。
The tide of history is relentless; no one can stop it.
那个杀手以其无情的行径而闻名。
That killer is known for his ruthless actions.
Grammatikmuster
Satzmuster
他对敌人非常无情。
He is very merciless towards enemies.
无情的现实让他很痛苦。
The ruthless reality made him suffer greatly.
她那无情的眼神让所有人都感到恐惧。
Her heartless gaze made everyone feel fear.
时间是无情的，它从不为任何人停留。
Time is merciless; it never stops for anyone.
面对无情的自然灾害，人类显得如此渺小。
Facing ruthless natural disasters, humanity appears so small.
他以一种无情的态度拒绝了我们的请求。
He rejected our request with a merciless attitude.
这部小说揭示了战争的无情与残酷。
This novel reveals the mercilessness and cruelty of war.
商业竞争是无情的，只有强者才能生存。
Business competition is ruthless; only the strong can survive.
Tipps
Basic Meaning
The core meaning of 无情 (wúqíng) is to be merciless, heartless, or ruthless. Think of it as lacking human emotion or empathy, especially in a harsh way.
Common Usage
It's often used to describe people's actions or natural forces. For example, 无情的打击 (wúqíng de dǎjí) means a merciless blow, and 无情的风 (wúqíng de fēng) means a ruthless wind.
Synonyms
Similar words include 冷酷 (lěngkù - cold and cruel) and 残忍 (cánrěn - cruel). While similar, 无情 emphasizes a lack of feeling rather than active cruelty.
Antonyms
The opposite of 无情 would be words like 有情 (yǒuqíng - compassionate) or 仁慈 (réncí - benevolent).
Grammar Note
As an adjective, 无情 usually comes before a noun (e.g., 无情的人 - a heartless person) or after a verb to describe the manner (e.g., 他无情地拒绝了 - He mercilessly refused).
Example 1
她对他非常无情。
Tā duì tā fēicháng wúqíng.
She was very merciless towards him.
Example 2
时间是无情的。
Shíjiān shì wúqíng de.
Time is ruthless.
Example 3
他无情地嘲笑了她。
Tā wúqíng de cháoxiàole tā.
He heartlessly mocked her.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, emotions and interpersonal relationships (人情 rénqíng) are highly valued. To be described as 无情 is generally a strong negative judgment.
Avoid Misuse
Don't confuse 无情 with simply being 'tough' or 'strict.' 无情 implies a complete lack of empathy or kindness, which is usually more severe.
Teste dich selbst 36 Fragen
Which of these words has a similar meaning to '无情'?
冷酷 (lěngkù) means cold and harsh, which is very close to the meaning of '无情' (merciless, heartless).
If someone is '无情', what are they NOT?
'无情' means merciless, heartless, or ruthless. Someone who is kind is the opposite.
Which sentence uses '无情' correctly?
'无情' describes a person's character, so it can be used to describe a teacher who is very strict or unfair.
'无情' means 'very kind'.
'无情' means merciless or heartless, which is the opposite of 'very kind'.
You can use '无情' to describe someone who is strict.
If someone is '无情', they are often strict or even harsh, showing no mercy.
The word '无情' has a positive meaning.
'无情' carries a negative connotation, meaning merciless or heartless.
Someone is very ruthless.
Asking why someone is so merciless.
Expressing a feeling that someone is a bit heartless.
Read this aloud:
他是一个无情的人。
Focus: wú qíng
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
不要无情。
Focus: bù yào wú qíng
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
她看起来很无情。
Focus: tā kàn qǐ lái hěn wú qíng
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Choose the word closest in meaning to '无情'.
'无情' means merciless or heartless, which is very similar to '冷酷'.
Which of the following describes a '无情' person?
A '无情' person is heartless and does not care about others' feelings.
Which sentence uses '无情' correctly?
'无情' can be used to describe something harsh or unrelenting, like a harsh winter.
一个无情的人会帮助穷人。(Yīgè wúqíng de rén huì bāngzhù qióngrén.) - A merciless person will help the poor.
A merciless person is unlikely to help the poor as they lack compassion.
无情的天气表示天气很热。(Wúqíng de tiānqì biǎoshì tiānqì hěn rè.) - Merciless weather means the weather is very hot.
'无情的天气' means the weather is harsh or severe, not necessarily just hot.
如果你对别人很无情，他们会喜欢你。(Rúguǒ nǐ duì biérén hěn wúqíng, tāmen huì xǐhuān nǐ.) - If you are merciless to others, they will like you.
Being merciless to others will likely make them dislike you, not like you.
He was merciless regarding my request.
That winter was extremely harsh/merciless.
She looked at me with merciless eyes.
Read this aloud:
他是一个无情的人。
Focus: wúqíng
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
别那么无情。
Focus: bié nàme wúqíng
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
时间是无情的。
Focus: shíjiān shì wúqíng de
Du hast gesagt:
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This sentence describes someone's gaze as merciless. '他' (he/him), '的' (possessive particle), '眼神' (gaze/look), '很' (very), '无情' (merciless).
This sentence means 'The company mercilessly treats those who violate the rules'. '公司' (company), '无情' (merciless), '地' (adverbial particle), '对待' (treat), '违反' (violate), '规则' (rules), '者' (person/doer).
This sentence translates to 'He is very merciless towards his enemies'. '他' (he/him), '对' (towards), '的' (possessive particle), '敌人' (enemy), '是' (is/are), '非常' (very), '无情' (merciless).
He was shocked by the company's merciless decision.
The ruthlessness of war destroyed everything.
She achieved her goals through ruthless methods.
Read this aloud:
请你用“无情”造一个句子。
Focus: wú qíng
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
描述一下你对“无情”的理解。
Focus: wú qíng
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Read this aloud:
你认为在商业竞争中，无情是必要的吗？
Focus: wú qíng
Du hast gesagt:
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/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning
The core meaning of 无情 (wúqíng) is to be merciless, heartless, or ruthless. Think of it as lacking human emotion or empathy, especially in a harsh way.
Common Usage
It's often used to describe people's actions or natural forces. For example, 无情的打击 (wúqíng de dǎjí) means a merciless blow, and 无情的风 (wúqíng de fēng) means a ruthless wind.
Synonyms
Similar words include 冷酷 (lěngkù - cold and cruel) and 残忍 (cánrěn - cruel). While similar, 无情 emphasizes a lack of feeling rather than active cruelty.
Antonyms
The opposite of 无情 would be words like 有情 (yǒuqíng - compassionate) or 仁慈 (réncí - benevolent).
Beispiel
战争是无情的。
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr emotions Wörter
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
一点
A1A little; a bit; slightly.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
