At the A1 level, you can think of '不负责任' (bù fù zérèn) as a way to say 'bad' or 'not good' regarding how someone does their job or chores. Even though it's a four-character word, you can learn it as a single block. You might use it to describe a student who doesn't do their homework or a friend who doesn't come to a party when they said they would. At this stage, just focus on the basic pattern: 'Person + 很 (hěn) + 不负责任'. For example, '他不负责任' (He is irresponsible). It is a useful word to know because it helps you express your feelings about people who don't follow the rules or don't help out. You don't need to worry about the complex grammar yet; just treat it like a strong version of 'not good.' Try to remember that the '不' (bù) makes it negative, and '责任' (zérèn) is the word for 'duty.' By learning this now, you are building a foundation for talking about people's personalities later on.
By A2, you should start using '不负责任' (bù fù zérèn) to describe specific behaviors. You can use it with the particle '的' (de) to describe nouns. For example, '不负责任的行为' (irresponsible behavior). You might hear your teacher use it if the class is being too noisy or not studying. At this level, you can also start comparing people. You could say, '他比我不负责任' (He is more irresponsible than I am). You should also notice that this word is often used with '太' (tài) for emphasis: '你太不负责任了!' (You are too irresponsible!). This is a common way to complain in everyday Chinese. It's important to start recognizing the characters: '不' (not), '负' (carry), '责' (duty), and '任' (task). Understanding these individual meanings will help you remember the whole phrase. You are moving from just knowing the word to being able to use it in short, descriptive sentences about your daily life, school, or work.
At the B1 level, you are expected to use '不负责任' (bù fù zérèn) in more varied grammatical structures and contexts. You should be able to use the adverbial marker '地' (de) to describe *how* someone does something: '他不负责任地走开了' (He irresponsibly walked away). You should also understand the difference between '不负责任' and '不负责'. Remember, '不负责' often means 'not in charge of,' while '不负责任' is the character trait of being irresponsible. You can now use this word to discuss social issues, such as environmental protection or corporate behavior. For example, '公司不负责任地排放污水' (The company irresponsibly discharged waste water). You are also starting to learn synonyms like '敷衍了事' (perfunctory) and can choose the right word depending on the situation. This word is key for B1 because it allows you to participate in discussions about morality, ethics, and professional standards, which are common topics in intermediate Chinese exams and conversations.
At the B2 level, '不负责任' (bù fù zérèn) should be a natural part of your vocabulary. You can use it in complex sentences with conjunctions like '虽然...但是...' (although... but...) or '不仅...而且...' (not only... but also...). For example, '虽然他很有才华,但是他非常不负责任' (Although he is very talented, he is very irresponsible). You should be able to distinguish the nuances between this word and more formal terms like '玩忽职守' (dereliction of duty). You can also use it in passive structures or with the '把' (bǎ) construction to describe the results of irresponsible actions. At this stage, you should be aware of the cultural implications of the word—how it relates to the concept of 'Face' and social harmony in China. You might use it in a debate about government policy or in a formal written report about a project's failure. Your usage should be precise, and you should be able to explain *why* an action is considered '不负责任' using supporting details and logical arguments.
By C1, your use of '不负责任' (bù fù zérèn) should be sophisticated and contextually perfect. You can use it to analyze characters in literature or to discuss abstract philosophical concepts of duty and agency. You might explore the systemic causes of irresponsibility in a society or organization. You should be comfortable using the word in high-level academic writing, where you might pair it with terms like '社会契约' (social contract) or '道德缺失' (moral deficiency). You can also use it sarcastically or with subtle irony in sophisticated social interactions. At this level, you should be able to understand and use related idioms and classical Chinese references that touch on the idea of responsibility. Your ability to use '不负责任' should extend to critiquing complex global issues, such as climate change or international relations, where the responsibility of nations is at stake. You are not just using a word; you are using a tool for deep critical analysis and nuanced expression of complex human and societal failures.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of '不负责任' (bù fù zérèn) and its entire semantic field. You can detect the slightest nuance in its usage in legal documents, political speeches, or classical literature. You might engage in high-level discourse about the evolution of the concept of 'responsibility' in Chinese history, from Confucian duties to modern civic responsibilities, and how '不负责任' has been defined and punished across different eras. You can use the word to construct powerful rhetorical arguments, perhaps contrasting it with the ideal of the 'Junzi' (gentleman) who is always '尽责' (responsible). Your writing and speech are indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, allowing you to use the term with maximum impact and precision. You understand the psychological underpinnings of why someone might be '不负责任' and can discuss this in a clinical or philosophical manner. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a conceptual building block that you can manipulate to express the most complex and subtle ideas about human nature and social organization.

不负责任 30초 만에

  • 不负责任 means 'irresponsible' and is used to criticize people who fail to do their duty or care about consequences.
  • It is a four-character adjective commonly used in both daily life and formal contexts like work or news.
  • You can use it to describe people, actions, or attitudes, often adding '的' before a noun or '地' before a verb.
  • Culturally, it carries a heavy moral weight in China, often implying a loss of face or reliability.

The Chinese term 不负责任 (bù fù zérèn) is a powerful and frequently used four-character adjective that translates directly to 'irresponsible.' To understand its weight, one must look at its components: (not/negation), (to carry/shoulder), and 责任 (responsibility/duty). Combined, it describes a person, action, or attitude that fails to uphold obligations or lacks the necessary care for the consequences of one's deeds.

Character Breakdown
The word is essentially a negation of the verb-object phrase '负责任' (to take responsibility). In Chinese culture, the concept of '责任' (zérèn) is deeply tied to social harmony and Confucian values, making '不负责任' a significant criticism of character.

You will hear this word in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from trivial daily occurrences to grave professional failures. For instance, if a student consistently fails to finish their homework, a teacher might label them as 不负责任. In a more serious setting, if a government official ignores a public safety crisis, the media will use this term to describe their negligence. It is not just about being 'lazy'; it is about a specific failure to honor a commitment or a role one has accepted.

他在工作中表现得非常不负责任,导致项目失败了。(He acted very irresponsibly in his work, leading to the project's failure.)

In interpersonal relationships, this word is often used to describe someone who avoids emotional commitment or fails to provide for their family. It carries a tone of disappointment and moral judgment. Unlike some English synonyms that might sound clinical (like 'negligent'), 不负责任 feels personal. It suggests that the person had the capacity to do the right thing but chose to look the other way.

Grammatical Usage
It can function as a predicate (e.g., 他很不负责任) or as an attributive adjective before a noun (e.g., 不负责任的行为). When used as an adjective modifying a noun, the structural particle '的' (de) is almost always required.

这种不负责任的态度是不可接受的。(This kind of irresponsible attitude is unacceptable.)

Finally, the word is versatile enough to describe inanimate objects or systems metaphorically, though it is 99% used for human behavior. For example, one might describe an 'irresponsible report' (不负责任的报告) if the data is clearly fabricated or lazily compiled. It is a cornerstone of B1-level Chinese because it moves the learner from describing physical states (hot, cold, big, small) to describing complex human traits and moral qualities.

你不能这么不负责任地离开。(You cannot leave in such an irresponsible manner.)

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While common in daily speech, it is also perfectly acceptable in formal writing, news reports, and legal discussions regarding negligence.

不要做一个不负责任的父母。(Don't be an irresponsible parent.)

Using 不负责任 correctly requires an understanding of how adjectives function in Chinese syntax. Unlike English, where 'irresponsible' usually precedes a noun or follows a linking verb, Chinese offers a few more structural nuances. The most common way to use it is as a predicate following an adverb of degree like '很' (hěn - very), '非常' (fēicháng - extremely), or '太' (tài - too).

Pattern 1: Subject + (Adverb) + 不负责任
This is the simplest way to describe someone's character. '他很不负责任' (He is very irresponsible). Note that in Chinese, you don't need the verb 'to be' (是) when using an adjective as a predicate unless you are emphasizing a fact or contrasting it.

When you want to describe a specific action as being irresponsible, you place '不负责任' before the noun, connected by the particle '的'. This creates a descriptive phrase. For example, '不负责任的行为' (irresponsible behavior) or '不负责任的言论' (irresponsible remarks). This structure is vital for B1 learners as it allows for more complex sentence construction.

那个医生做出了一个不负责任的决定。(That doctor made an irresponsible decision.)

Another advanced usage involves the adverbial marker '地' (de). When you want to describe *how* an action is performed, you use '不负责任地' + verb. For example, '他不负责任地离开了公司' (He irresponsibly left the company). This shows that the manner of leaving was the problem, not just the act of leaving itself.

Pattern 2: 不负责任地 + Verb
This highlights the manner of an action. It is often used in complaints or legal descriptions. '你不该这样不负责任地说话' (You shouldn't speak so irresponsibly).

It is also important to note the difference between '不负责任' and '没责任感'. While both mean irresponsible, '不负责任' describes an action or a state, whereas '没责任感' (méi zérèngǎn) specifically means 'lacking a sense of responsibility' as a personality trait. You might say someone is '不负责任' because they forgot a meeting once, but you'd say they '没责任感' if they never care about any of their duties.

对他来说,这种不负责任的做法已经成了习惯。(For him, this irresponsible way of doing things has already become a habit.)

In formal contexts, such as business emails or academic essays, '不负责任' is often paired with consequences. You might see sentences like '如果不负责任地处理废弃物,将会污染环境' (If waste is handled irresponsibly, it will pollute the environment). This demonstrates the word's utility in discussing cause-and-effect relationships in societal issues.

Negative Comparisons
You can use '比' (bǐ) to compare levels of irresponsibility: '他比我更不负责任' (He is even more irresponsible than I am). This is a common way to deflect blame in informal arguments.

请不要对你的宠物表现得那么不负责任。(Please don't act so irresponsibly toward your pet.)

In the real world, 不负责任 is a staple of both heated arguments and professional critiques. If you are living in a Chinese-speaking environment, you will likely encounter this word first in the workplace. Managers use it to reprimand employees who miss deadlines, and colleagues might whisper it about someone who doesn't pull their weight in a team project. It is the ultimate 'anti-professional' label.

The Workplace Context
In a Chinese office, '责任心' (sense of responsibility) is highly prized. Consequently, being called '不负责任' is a serious blow to one's career reputation. It implies a lack of 'reliability' (靠谱 - kàopǔ).

Another common place to hear this word is in family dramas (电视剧). Chinese TV shows are filled with '不负责任' characters—often the 'deadbeat dad' or the 'rebellious son.' In these scripts, the word is used to highlight the emotional toll that one person's negligence takes on the whole family unit. It’s a word that drips with moral weight in these scenarios.

你作为一个父亲,怎么能这么不负责任?(As a father, how can you be so irresponsible?)

Social media (like Weibo or Little Red Book) is another hotbed for this term. It is often used in 'call-out' culture. If a celebrity is caught in a scandal or if a brand fails to deliver on a promise, netizens will flood the comments with accusations of '不负责任.' In this digital context, the word acts as a tool for public accountability. It’s short, punchy, and everyone knows exactly what it means.

News and Media
News anchors use it when reporting on environmental disasters caused by companies or when discussing political figures who fail to fulfill their campaign promises. It is a standard term in the lexicon of Chinese journalism.

In schools, teachers use it to describe students who don't take their studies seriously. However, it's also used by students to describe teachers who don't grade papers on time or who are late to class. It’s a two-way street of accountability. If you are a student in China, hearing this from a teacher usually means a parent-teacher conference is looming.

这种对学生不负责任的老师,不应该留在学校。(Teachers who are so irresponsible toward students shouldn't stay in the school.)

Lastly, you'll hear it in the service industry. If a waiter is rude or if a delivery driver leaves a package in the rain, a customer might complain by saying '你们的服务太不负责任了!' (Your service is too irresponsible!). In this sense, it is synonymous with 'poor quality' or 'lack of care.' It is a very useful word for expressing dissatisfaction in a clear, culturally resonant way.

Even at the B1 level, learners often make specific errors when using 不负责任. The most frequent mistake is confusing it with the noun form or the verb form of 'responsibility.' In English, 'irresponsible' is purely an adjective, but in Chinese, the root '负责' is a verb-object construction. This leads to several common pitfalls.

Mistake 1: Omitting the '任' (rèn)
Many learners say '他不负责' (Tā bù fùzé). While this is technically a valid sentence, it means 'He is not in charge' or 'He is not responsible for [this specific task].' It does not mean 'He is an irresponsible person.' To describe a character trait, you MUST include the '任'.

Another error involves the placement of the word in a sentence. Because it's a four-character phrase, some students treat it like an idiom (成语 - chéngyǔ) and try to use it without the necessary particles. For example, saying '一个不负责任人' instead of '一个不负责任人'. Without the '的', the sentence sounds broken and unnatural.

Incorrect: 他是一个不负责任人
Correct: 他是一个不负责任的人。

A more subtle mistake is confusing '不负责任' with '没责任感' (méi zérèngǎn). As mentioned before, '没责任感' is the noun-based way to say someone 'lacks a sense of responsibility.' While they are often interchangeable, '不负责任' is more commonly used to describe a specific *action* or a *state of being* in a certain role, whereas '没责任感' is a deeper critique of someone's internal moral compass.

Mistake 2: Using '是' (shì) unnecessarily
Learners often translate literally from English: 'He is irresponsible' -> '他是不负责任'. In Chinese, adjectives function as verbs. You should say '他很不负责任'. If you use '是', you usually need to add '的' at the end: '他是很不负责任的'.

Finally, learners sometimes use '不负责任' when they actually mean 'careless' (粗心 - cūxīn). If someone makes a small typo, they are '粗心'. If they ignore the typo even after being told and it ruins the whole report, they are '不负责任'. Be careful not to over-use this word for minor mistakes, as it is quite a heavy accusation in Chinese culture.

别把“粗心”和“不负责任”混为一谈。(Don't confuse 'carelessness' with 'irresponsibility.')

While 不负责任 is the most common way to say 'irresponsible,' Chinese has a rich vocabulary for describing various shades of negligence. Depending on the level of formality and the specific type of irresponsibility, you might choose a different word.

1. 没责任感 (Méi zérèngǎn)
Literally 'no sense of responsibility.' This is used more for a permanent personality trait. If someone is '不负责任,' they might just be acting that way now. If they are '没责任感,' it is part of who they are.

For workplace scenarios where someone is doing a job half-heartedly, you might use 敷衍了事 (fūyǎn liǎoshì). This is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that means 'to go through the motions' or 'to do a task perfunctorily.' It is more specific than '不负责任' because it describes the *way* the work is being done—just enough to get by, but without any real care.

他对待工作总是敷衍了事,太不负责任了。(He always does his work perfunctorily; he's so irresponsible.)

In a formal or legal context, you might see 玩忽职守 (wánhū zhíshǒu). This is a very serious term meaning 'dereliction of duty' or 'malpractice.' You wouldn't use this for a friend who forgot to call you back; you use it for a pilot who fell asleep or a guard who left the gate open. It implies that the irresponsibility led to a significant risk or failure.

2. 草率 (Cǎoshuài)
Meaning 'careless' or 'hasty.' This is used when someone makes a decision too quickly without thinking it through. While '不负责任' is a character judgment, '草率' is more about the speed and lack of thoroughness of an action.

If you want to be more informal or use slang, you might say someone is 不靠谱 (bù kàopǔ). This literally means 'not according to the score/sheet' and translates to 'unreliable' or 'sketchy.' It's a very common Beijing-originated term that is now used all over China. If a friend says they will help you move and then doesn't show up, they are '不靠谱,' which is a slightly lighter way of saying '不负责任.'

那个人办事不靠谱,你别找他。(That guy is unreliable, don't go to him.)

Finally, the opposite (antonym) of '不负责任' is 负责 (fùzé) or 尽责 (jìnzé). '尽责' means 'to do one's duty to the fullest' and is a very high compliment in a Chinese professional setting. Using these alternatives will make your Chinese sound more nuanced and native-like.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The character '负' (fù) can also mean 'to lose' (as in a game). So, being '不负责任' could playfully be seen as 'not carrying the loss,' though the real meaning is much more serious!

발음 가이드

UK /buː fʊ t͡sɤɻɛn/
US /bu fʊ dzərɛn/
The primary stress in Chinese phrases is often on the last syllable, so 'ren' carries a bit more weight.
라임이 맞는 단어
任 (rèn) rhymes with: 慎 (shèn - cautious) 嫩 (nèn - tender) 闷 (mèn - bored) 本 (běn - root) 粉 (fěn - powder) 啃 (kěn - gnaw) 喷 (pēn - spray) 很 (hěn - very)
자주 하는 실수
  • Pronouncing 'ze' as 'zee'. It should be a neutral 'uh' sound like 'duh'.
  • Missing the tone change on 'bu'. It should be 'bú' (2nd tone) because 'fù' is 4th tone.
  • Muddling the 'r' in 'ren'. It shouldn't be an English 'r'; it's closer to the 's' in 'pleasure'.
  • Failing to distinguish between 'z' and 'zh'. 'ze' is dental, not retroflex.
  • Saying 'ren' like 'wren'. It needs the retroflex friction.

난이도

독해 3/5

The characters are common, but the four-character structure requires some practice to recognize as a single unit.

쓰기 4/5

Writing '责任' (zérèn) can be tricky for B1 learners due to the stroke count and complexity of the characters.

말하기 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but remembering the 'bu' tone change is important for sounding native.

듣기 2/5

It is a very distinct-sounding phrase that is usually articulated clearly because it is a point of emphasis.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

不 (No/Not) 负责 (To be responsible) 责任 (Responsibility) 人 (Person) 做 (To do)

다음에 배울 것

靠谱 (Reliable) 尽责 (Dutiful) 义务 (Obligation) 敷衍 (Perfunctory) 玩忽职守 (Dereliction of duty)

고급

推卸 (To shirk) 担当 (To take on) 失职 (To fail in one's duty) 渎职 (Malfeasance) 问责 (To hold accountable)

알아야 할 문법

Adjective as Predicate

他[不负责任]。 (No 'shì' needed)

The particle 'de' (的) for Attribution

[不负责任的]人。

The particle 'de' (地) for Adverbs

[不负责任地]说话。

Tone change for 'bu' (不)

Bú fù (Not bù fù)

Comparative with 'bi' (比)

他比我更[不负责任]。

수준별 예문

1

他不负责任。

He is irresponsible.

Subject + Adjective

2

那个学生很不负责任。

That student is very irresponsible.

Using '很' (very) as a modifier.

3

你太不负责任了!

You are too irresponsible!

Using '太...了' for emphasis.

4

我不喜欢不负责任的人。

I don't like irresponsible people.

Using '的' to modify a noun.

5

这样做很不负责任。

Doing this is very irresponsible.

Gerund-like subject + Adjective.

6

他是一个不负责任的爸爸。

He is an irresponsible dad.

Adjective + 的 + Noun.

7

老师说他不负责任。

The teacher says he is irresponsible.

Indirect speech.

8

不要不负责任。

Don't be irresponsible.

Imperative sentence.

1

你不应该这么不负责任。

You shouldn't be so irresponsible.

Using '应该' (should).

2

他对待工作很不负责任。

He is very irresponsible toward his work.

Using '对待' (toward) to specify the context.

3

这种不负责任的行为很讨厌。

This kind of irresponsible behavior is annoying.

Noun phrase as subject.

4

他比以前更不负责任了。

He is even more irresponsible than before.

Comparison with '比'.

5

因为他不负责任,所以我们输了。

Because he was irresponsible, we lost.

Cause and effect with '因为...所以...'.

6

请不要做一个不负责任的朋友。

Please don't be an irresponsible friend.

Polite request.

7

我觉得他很不负责任。

I think he is very irresponsible.

Expressing an opinion.

8

那个医生很不负责任。

That doctor is very irresponsible.

Profession + Adjective.

1

他不负责任地把孩子留在了家里。

He irresponsibly left the child at home.

Using '地' to form an adverb.

2

这种不负责任的态度会影响你的前途。

This irresponsible attitude will affect your future.

Future tense with '会'.

3

公司不负责任地处理了这些化学物质。

The company irresponsibly handled these chemicals.

Adverbial usage in a formal context.

4

你不能对自己的健康这么不负责任。

You cannot be so irresponsible toward your own health.

Using '对...负责任' structure.

5

他的不负责任让大家都感到很生气。

His irresponsibility made everyone feel very angry.

Adjective used as a noun.

6

如果他继续这么不负责任,他会被开除的。

If he continues to be so irresponsible, he will be fired.

Conditional sentence with '如果'.

7

这篇报道非常不负责任,有很多错误。

This report is very irresponsible; there are many errors.

Describing an object metaphorically.

8

作为一个领导,他不应该表现得如此不负责任。

As a leader, he shouldn't act so irresponsibly.

Using '作为' (as) to set the role.

1

这种不负责任的言论在网上引起了公愤。

These irresponsible remarks caused public outrage online.

Complex subject and object.

2

他不仅迟到,还对工作表现出不负责任的态度。

He not only arrives late but also shows an irresponsible attitude toward work.

Using '不仅...还...'.

3

由于他不负责任的操作,机器损坏了。

Due to his irresponsible operation, the machine was damaged.

Using '由于' (due to).

4

我们不能对环境采取这种不负责任的做法。

We cannot take such an irresponsible approach toward the environment.

Formal vocabulary like '采取' and '做法'.

5

他试图为自己不负责任的行为找借口。

He tried to find excuses for his irresponsible behavior.

Using '试图' (try) and '借口' (excuse).

6

这种不负责任的父母在当今社会并不少见。

Such irresponsible parents are not uncommon in today's society.

Social commentary.

7

他不负责任地泄露了公司的商业机密。

He irresponsibly leaked the company's trade secrets.

Serious professional context.

8

尽管他道歉了,但大家仍然觉得他不负责任。

Although he apologized, everyone still thinks he is irresponsible.

Using '尽管...但...'.

1

这种不负责任的金融政策导致了严重的通货膨胀。

This irresponsible financial policy led to severe inflation.

Academic/Financial context.

2

媒体不负责任的报道可能会误导公众。

Irresponsible reporting by the media could mislead the public.

Using '可能' and '误导'.

3

他那种不负责任的性格注定了他事业的失败。

His irresponsible character doomed his career to failure.

Using '注定' (destined/doomed).

4

这种对历史不负责任的态度是不可原谅的。

This irresponsible attitude toward history is unforgivable.

Abstract concept of responsibility.

5

他在关键时刻表现出的不负责任令人失望透顶。

The irresponsibility he showed at the critical moment was utterly disappointing.

Using '令人' and '透顶'.

6

我们要坚决反对这种不负责任的官僚主义。

We must resolutely oppose this irresponsible bureaucracy.

Political/Formal vocabulary.

7

他不负责任地挥霍了祖辈留下来的遗产。

He irresponsibly squandered the inheritance left by his ancestors.

Specific verb '挥霍' (squander).

8

这种不负责任的育儿方式会对孩子产生深远的影响。

This irresponsible parenting style will have a profound impact on the child.

Using '对...产生...影响'.

1

这种不负责任的单边主义行径破坏了国际秩序。

This irresponsible act of unilateralism undermined the international order.

International relations terminology.

2

他以一种近乎不负责任的冷漠对待周围的一切。

He treated everything around him with an almost irresponsible indifference.

Nuanced psychological description.

3

历史将审判那些对人类未来不负责任的决策者。

History will judge those decision-makers who are irresponsible about the future of humanity.

Philosophical/Grand tone.

4

这种不负责任的科学研究可能会给人类带来灾难。

This irresponsible scientific research could bring disaster to mankind.

Hypothetical future disaster.

5

他那不负责任的灵魂在虚无中游荡。

His irresponsible soul wandered in the void.

Literary/Metaphorical usage.

6

这种不负责任的资源开采是对后代子孙的犯罪。

This irresponsible resource extraction is a crime against future generations.

Strong ethical condemnation.

7

企业不负责任的扩张往往是其走向灭亡的开始。

An enterprise's irresponsible expansion is often the beginning of its demise.

Business philosophy.

8

那种不负责任的自由,本质上是对他人的奴役。

That kind of irresponsible freedom is, in essence, the enslavement of others.

Deep philosophical paradox.

자주 쓰는 조합

不负责任的行为
不负责任的态度
不负责任的言论
很不负责任
极不负责任
表现得不负责任
不负责任地离开
不负责任的父母
不负责任的医生
对...不负责任

자주 쓰는 구문

推卸责任

— To shirk responsibility. This is what irresponsible people do.

他总是想方设法推卸责任。

毫无责任感

— To have absolutely no sense of responsibility.

他对自己的人生毫无责任感。

自私自利

— Selfish. Often used alongside '不负责任'.

他是个自私自利、不负责任的人。

言而无信

— To go back on one's word. A form of being irresponsible.

他言而无信,非常不负责任。

玩世不恭

— To be cynical or flippant. Often leads to irresponsible behavior.

他那种玩世不恭的态度很不负责任。

甩手掌柜

— A boss who does nothing. A slang term for an irresponsible leader.

他当了个甩手掌柜,什么都不管,太不负责任了。

得过且过

— Muddling through. An irresponsible way to live or work.

他这种得过且过的态度很不负责任。

不顾后果

— Regardless of consequences. A key trait of irresponsibility.

他不负责任地不顾后果,做了那件事。

玩火自焚

— To play with fire and get burned. A result of irresponsible actions.

这种不负责任的行为无异于玩火自焚。

问心无愧

— To have a clear conscience. The opposite of how an irresponsible person should feel.

如果你不负责任,你就不能问心无愧。

자주 혼동되는 단어

不负责任 vs 不负责 (Bù fùzé)

Means 'not in charge of' or 'not responsible for a specific task'. Lacks the general 'irresponsible' character trait meaning.

不负责任 vs 没责任心 (Méi zérènxīn)

Similar, but focuses on the internal 'heart' or 'mindset' of responsibility.

不负责任 vs 粗心 (Cūxīn)

Means 'careless'. You can be careless but still be a responsible person. '不负责任' is a more severe character flaw.

관용어 및 표현

"敷衍了事"

— To do something half-heartedly just to get it over with.

工作不能敷衍了事,否则就是不负责任。

Common
"玩忽职守"

— To neglect one's duty, usually in a professional or legal sense.

他因为玩忽职守造成了巨大损失。

Formal
"草率从事"

— To act hastily and without enough care.

这件事不能草率从事,必须负责任。

Formal
"马马虎虎"

— Sloppy or careless. A lighter version of being irresponsible.

他做事总是马马虎虎的。

Informal
"不管不顾"

— To ignore everything and everyone; to be completely reckless.

他不负责任地不管不顾,一个人跑了。

Informal
"见死不救"

— To see someone in danger and not help. A grave form of irresponsibility.

那种见死不救的行为太不负责任了。

Serious
"有名无实"

— In name only. Describes an irresponsible person in a position of power.

他这个经理有名无实,极不负责任。

Literary
"偷工减料"

— To cheat on workmanship and materials. Professional irresponsibility.

这个工程偷工减料,非常不负责任。

Technical
"尸位素餐"

— To hold a post without doing any work. Very formal/literary.

他在位多年,尸位素餐,极不负责任。

Archaic/Formal
"任其自然"

— To let things take their course without intervening. Can be irresponsible neglect.

你不能对孩子的问题任其自然,那是很不负责任的。

Neutral

혼동하기 쉬운

不负责任 vs 负责 (Fùzé)

It's the root word.

负责 is positive (responsible), 不负责任 is negative (irresponsible).

他是一个负责的老师。

不负责任 vs 负担 (Fùdān)

Starts with '负' (fù).

负担 is a noun meaning 'burden' or 'load' (financial or emotional).

生活负担很重。

不负责任 vs 任性 (Rènxìng)

Contains '任' (rèn).

任性 means 'willful' or 'spoiled' (doing whatever one wants).

这个孩子太任性了。

不负责任 vs 任务 (Rènwu)

Contains '任' (rèn).

任务 is a noun meaning 'task' or 'mission'.

我完成了任务。

不负责任 vs 责备 (Zébèi)

Contains '责' (zé).

责备 is a verb meaning 'to blame' or 'to scold'.

妈妈责备了我。

문장 패턴

A1

Subj. + 很 + 不负责任。

他很不负责任。

A2

Subj. + 是一个 + 不负责任的 + Noun。

他是一个不负责任的人。

B1

Subj. + 对 + Obj. + 不负责任。

你对工作不负责任。

B1

Subj. + 不负责任地 + Verb。

他不负责任地走开了。

B2

虽然...但是...不负责任。

虽然他聪明,但是他不负责任。

B2

这种 + 不负责任的 + Noun + 导致了...。

这种不负责任的行为导致了失败。

C1

令人 + 感到 + 不负责任的是...。

令人感到不负责任的是他的态度。

C2

以...的方式 + 表现出 + 不负责任。

他以极其不负责任的方式处理了危机。

어휘 가족

명사

责任 (zérèn) - Responsibility
责任感 (zérèngǎn) - Sense of responsibility
负责人 (fùzérén) - Person in charge

동사

负责 (fùzé) - To be responsible for
负 (fù) - To carry/bear
任 (rèn) - To appoint/assign

형용사

负责的 (fùzé de) - Responsible
尽责的 (jìnzé de) - Conscientious/Dutiful

관련

义务 (yìwù) - Obligation
职责 (zhízé) - Duty
过失 (guòshī) - Negligence
差错 (chācuò) - Mistake
担当 (dāndāng) - To take on responsibility

사용법

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Chinese.

자주 하는 실수
  • 他不负责。 他不负责任。

    Without '任', it usually just means 'He is not in charge [of this specific thing]'.

  • 一个不负责任人。 一个不负责任的人。

    You need the particle '的' to connect the adjective to the noun.

  • 他不负责任说话。 他不负责任地说话。

    You need the particle '地' to turn the adjective into an adverb.

  • 他是很不负责任。 他很不负责任。

    In Chinese, you don't need '是' before an adjective unless you add '的' at the end.

  • 对他责任。 对他不负责任。

    You need the full phrase '不负责任' to express the adjective 'irresponsible'.

The 'De' Rule

Always use '的' (de) when putting '不负责任' before a noun, and '地' (de) when putting it before a verb.

The Weight of the Word

Remember that in China, responsibility is a core value. Using this word is a serious judgment of someone's character.

Tone Change

Don't forget to change '不' to the second tone (bú). It makes your Chinese sound much more natural.

Character Accuracy

Practice writing '责任' carefully. They are complex characters that are easy to smudge or get wrong.

Synonym Choice

Use '不靠谱' for friends and '不负责任' for more serious or professional situations.

Emphasis

When people say this word, they often emphasize the '不' and the '任' to show their anger or disappointment.

Workplace Usage

In an office, avoid calling someone '不负责任' directly unless you are their boss. It is a very strong accusation.

Break it Down

Remember: 不 (not) + 负责 (responsible) + 任 (duty). This helps you remember the meaning and spelling.

Vs. Careless

If someone just forgot their keys, they are '粗心' (careless). If they forgot to lock the vault at a bank, they are '不负责任'.

Negative Sentences

You can also say '不能不负责任' (cannot be irresponsible), which is a common way to give advice.

암기하기

기억법

Think of a person who REFUSES (不) to CARRY (负) their DUTY (责任). They just drop the heavy backpack of life and walk away.

시각적 연상

Imagine a worker sleeping on top of a pile of unfinished boxes while a sign says 'Duty' next to them. This is the definition of 不负责任.

Word Web

不 (Not) 负 (Carry) 责 (Duty) 任 (Task) 懒惰 (Lazy) 错误 (Error) 失望 (Disappointed) 靠谱 (Reliable - Antonym)

챌린지

Try to find three things today that someone did that were '不负责任' and describe them in Chinese to yourself.

어원

The phrase is a modern construction but uses ancient characters. '不' (bù) is the standard negation. '负' (fù) originally depicted a person carrying a shell (money) on their back, evolving to mean 'to bear a burden.' '责' (zé) originally meant a 'debt' or 'demand.' '任' (rèn) depicted a person carrying a pole, meaning 'a load' or 'a task.'

원래 의미: The literal meaning across history has remained consistent: 'not bearing the burden of one's debts or duties.'

Sino-Tibetan -> Sinitic -> Mandarin Chinese.

문화적 맥락

Calling someone '不负责任' to their face is a direct provocation and can lead to a serious argument. Use it carefully in social settings.

In English, 'irresponsible' can sometimes be used lightly (e.g., 'that was an irresponsible purchase'). In Chinese, '不负责任' usually sounds a bit more like a moral failing.

The 'Deadbeat Dad' archetype in Chinese dramas is the quintessential example of '不负责任'. News reports on the 'Melamine Milk Scandal' frequently used this term to describe the companies involved. Commonly used in 'Self-Criticism' (自我批评) sessions in formal organizations.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Workplace

  • 不负责任的员工
  • 工作不负责任
  • 对项目不负责任
  • 推卸不负责任的行为

Family

  • 不负责任的父亲/母亲
  • 对家庭不负责任
  • 不负责任的行为伤害了家人
  • 不要这么不负责任

Social Media

  • 不负责任的言论
  • 网络暴力是不负责任的
  • 对公众不负责任
  • 我们要抵制不负责任的信息

Environment

  • 不负责任地排污
  • 对自然不负责任
  • 不负责任的开发
  • 这种做法很不负责任

Education

  • 不负责任的学生
  • 对学习不负责任
  • 老师不能不负责任
  • 作业写得不负责任

대화 시작하기

"你觉得什么样的行为算是‘不负责任’? (What kind of behavior do you consider 'irresponsible'?)"

"如果你发现同事很不负责任,你会怎么办? (If you found a colleague was very irresponsible, what would you do?)"

"在你的国家,人们怎么看待不负责任的父母? (In your country, how do people view irresponsible parents?)"

"你曾经遇到过很不负责任的医生或老师吗? (Have you ever encountered a very irresponsible doctor or teacher?)"

"为什么有些人会变得越来越不负责任? (Why do some people become more and more irresponsible?)"

일기 주제

写一写你见过的一个很不负责任的人,以及他的行为造成了什么后果。 (Write about an irresponsible person you've seen and the consequences of their actions.)

描述一次你觉得自己‘不负责任’的经历,你学到了什么? (Describe a time you felt you were 'irresponsible.' What did you learn?)

讨论一下社交媒体上的‘不负责任言论’对社会的危害。 (Discuss the harm of 'irresponsible remarks' on social media to society.)

你认为‘负责任’和‘成功’之间有什么关系? (What do you think is the relationship between 'being responsible' and 'success'?)

如果一个社会的每个人都变得不负责任,世界会变成什么样? (If everyone in a society became irresponsible, what would the world become?)

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

It's better to use '粗心' (careless) for small mistakes. '不负责任' is a heavy word and implies a serious lack of care or character.

'不负责' usually means 'not in charge of something' (e.g., I'm not responsible for this department). '不负责任' is the adjective for 'irresponsible'.

No, it is a standard adjective used in all levels of formality, from casual talk to legal news.

You say '他是一个不负责任的父亲' (Tā shì yīgè bù fù zérèn de fùqīn).

No, it is almost exclusively used for people, actions, or attitudes. You wouldn't use it for inanimate objects unless metaphorically.

It has four characters, but it's technically a negated phrase. However, many people treat it like a chengyu because of its structure.

The most common opposite is '负责' (responsible) or '负责任' (to be responsible).

It is a criticism. It's not 'impolite' in terms of being a swear word, but it is a very direct and harsh thing to say to someone.

Yes, that's perfect. It means 'He did this thing irresponsibly.'

Yes, '不' (bù) changes to 'bú' (2nd tone) because '负' (fù) is 4th tone.

셀프 테스트 200 질문

writing

Translate to Chinese: 'He is a very irresponsible person.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate to Chinese: 'You shouldn't be so irresponsible toward your work.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using '不负责任' and '因为...所以...'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate to Chinese: 'Irresponsible behavior will damage your reputation.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe an irresponsible friend in Chinese (30+ characters).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate to Chinese: 'The company irresponsibly discharged waste water.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a short complaint about an irresponsible waiter (40+ characters).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate to Chinese: 'As a leader, you cannot be so irresponsible.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate to Chinese: 'This is an irresponsible decision.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using '不负责任地'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate to Chinese: 'I don't like irresponsible people.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate to Chinese: 'His irresponsibility caused many problems.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence comparing two people using '比' and '不负责任'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate to Chinese: 'Please don't be irresponsible.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe an irresponsible action you saw recently.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate to Chinese: 'Irresponsible remarks on the internet.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence about an irresponsible doctor.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate to Chinese: 'He is becoming more and more irresponsible.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using '极不负责任'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate to Chinese: 'He tried to find excuses for his irresponsibility.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Describe a time someone was irresponsible toward you. (Speak for 30 seconds)

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Read aloud: 他是一个很不负责任的人,大家都不喜欢他。

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Explain why leaving trash in a park is '不负责任'.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Roleplay: Complain to a friend who forgot your meeting using '不负责任'.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Give a short speech on 'Professional Responsibility' and use the target word.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Read aloud: 你不应该对你的孩子这么不负责任。

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Discuss the dangers of irresponsible media reporting.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Describe an irresponsible character from a movie you've seen.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Read aloud: 这种不负责任的行为是不能被原谅的。

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

How would you tell someone to be more responsible without using the word '不负责任'?

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Read aloud: 他不负责任地把所有的工作都留给了我。

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Argue against an irresponsible government policy.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Read aloud: 请不要做一个不负责任的朋友。

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Describe what a 'responsible' person looks like in your culture.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Read aloud: 这种态度实在是太不负责任了!

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Explain the character '负' (fù) and how it relates to responsibility.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Read aloud: 他对待工作的态度极不负责任。

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Tell a story about an irresponsible pet owner.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Read aloud: 我们不能对历史不负责任。

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Summarize why '不负责任' is a strong word in Chinese culture.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '他这人真不靠谱,太不负责任了。' Is the speaker happy with 'him'?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '这种不负责任的行为必须受到惩罚。' What should happen to the behavior?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '他不负责任地走开了。' Did he leave in a good way?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the dialogue: A: '他怎么还没来?' B: '他就是这么不负责任。' What is the problem with 'him'?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '作为一个老师,他很不负责任。' What is the speaker's job?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and transcribe: '你不应该这么不负责任。'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '由于他的不负责任,公司损失了百万。' How much did the company lose?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '不要对自己的健康不负责任。' What is the advice?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '这篇报道非常不负责任。' What is being criticized?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the dialogue: A: '他道歉了吗?' B: '道歉了,但他还是很不负责任。' Does the apology fix the problem?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and write the characters for 'zérèn'.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '他比我更不负责任。' Who is more irresponsible?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: '我们要坚决反对不负责任的官僚主义。' What are they opposing?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: '那是个不负责任的决定。' Was the decision good?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: '他从来不负责任。' Does he ever take responsibility?

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/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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