忽略
忽略 in 30 Seconds
- 忽略 means 'to ignore' or 'to overlook,' used for both accidental omissions and intentional disregard.
- It is a transitive verb, typically following the Subject + 忽略 + Object structure.
- Commonly used in professional, technical, and social contexts to describe missing details or feelings.
- It is more neutral than its synonym 忽视, which often implies a more serious or cold-hearted neglect.
The Chinese verb 忽略 (hū lüè) is a multi-faceted term that primarily translates to 'to ignore,' 'to overlook,' or 'to neglect.' In the context of Mandarin Chinese, it is a word that bridges the gap between a simple mistake of the mind and a deliberate choice of the will. When you 忽略 something, you are essentially failing to give it the attention, consideration, or importance it requires or deserves. This can happen in a variety of contexts, ranging from the mundane—like forgetting to check a small detail in a document—to the profound, such as neglecting the emotional needs of a partner or a child. The beauty and complexity of this word lie in its neutrality regarding intent; it does not inherently judge whether the act was an accident or a strategy, though the surrounding context usually makes this clear.
- Cognitive Omission
- This refers to the psychological phenomenon where the brain fails to process information that is present. For example, when proofreading a long essay, you might 忽略 a typo because your brain 'fills in' the correct word automatically. This is a common use of 忽略 in academic and professional settings.
- Social and Emotional Neglect
- In interpersonal relationships, 忽略 takes on a heavier weight. It describes the act of not acknowledging someone's presence, feelings, or contributions. If a manager 忽略s the hard work of their team, it leads to burnout and resentment. Here, the word often carries a connotation of 'disregard.'
- Strategic Disregard
- In technical or scientific contexts, researchers might 忽略 certain variables that are considered 'negligible' or 'insignificant' to the overall outcome of an experiment. In this sense, 忽略 is a conscious decision to simplify a system by removing non-essential data.
在追求速度的过程中,我们往往会忽略了质量的重要性。(In the pursuit of speed, we often ignore the importance of quality.)
Historically, the characters themselves provide a window into the word's soul. 忽 (hū) means 'suddenly' or 'to neglect,' often implying a lack of steadiness or care. 略 (lüè) means 'briefly,' 'slightly,' or 'to omit.' Together, they suggest a 'slight neglect' or an 'omission of details.' In modern usage, however, the scale of what is being 忽略-ed can be quite massive. You might hear a news anchor say that the government 忽略-ed the warning signs of a financial crisis, or a friend complain that you 忽略-ed their text message. The word is ubiquitous because the human experience is defined as much by what we focus on as by what we choose—or happen—to leave out. It is a B1 level word because it requires learners to understand nuance beyond simple action verbs; it requires an understanding of the relationship between a subject and the information they are processing.
请不要忽略这些微小的变化,它们可能是成功的关键。(Please do not ignore these tiny changes; they might be the key to success.)
In terms of register, 忽略 is quite neutral. It is equally at home in a casual conversation between friends ('You ignored me!') and in a formal scientific report ('The friction was ignored in this calculation'). However, when dealing with people, using 忽略 can sometimes sound more accusatory than its synonyms like 'forget' (忘记), because it implies that the person or thing was right there and you simply didn't give it its due. It suggests a failure of perception or a failure of respect. As you progress in your Chinese studies, pay attention to how 忽略 is used to describe systemic issues. For instance, '忽略人权' (ignoring human rights) or '忽略环境影响' (ignoring environmental impact) are common phrases in social discourse. This versatility makes it an essential building block for expressing complex thoughts about responsibility and awareness.
- Intentionality
- Can be deliberate (choosing to ignore a rude comment) or accidental (missing a step in a recipe).
- Scope
- Applies to physical objects, abstract ideas, people, and data.
医生警告他不要忽略身体发出的信号。(The doctor warned him not to ignore the signals sent by his body.)
Using 忽略 (hū lüè) correctly in a sentence requires an understanding of its role as a transitive verb. The most basic structure is [Subject] + [忽略] + [Object]. The object can be a noun, a noun phrase, or even a short clause. Because 忽略 involves a lack of action or attention, it is frequently used with negations like '不要' (don't), '不能' (cannot), or '不可' (should not). It also frequently appears with the aspect marker '了' (le) to indicate that the act of overlooking has already occurred, often with negative consequences.
- Pattern 1: Simple Action
- This is the most common usage. Example: 他忽略了我的建议。(He ignored my suggestion.) Here, the subject (he) failed to consider the object (my suggestion).
- Pattern 2: Warnings and Advice
- Used to tell someone what they should pay attention to. Example: 你不能忽略细节。(You cannot ignore the details.) This is very common in professional or educational environments.
- Pattern 3: Passive/Resultative
- Sometimes used to describe things that are easily missed. Example: 这是一个容易被忽略的问题。(This is a problem that is easily overlooked.) Note the use of '被' (bèi) to create a passive structure.
我们经常忽略了身边最亲近的人。(We often ignore the people closest to us.)
When using 忽略, it is important to distinguish it from its close relative 忽视 (hū shì). While they are often interchangeable, 忽略 is more likely to be used for 'overlooking' (accidental) or 'omitting' (technical/neutral), whereas 忽视 often carries a stronger sense of 'neglecting' or 'treating with coldness' (intentional/social). For instance, if you miss a comma in a sentence, you 忽略-ed it. If you treat your younger brother poorly and don't care about his needs, you 忽视-ed him. However, in many contexts, 忽略 is used broadly to cover both meanings. Another structural nuance is the use of '所' (suǒ). In formal writing, you might see '被人们所忽略' (ignored by people), which adds a layer of sophistication to the sentence.
在做决定时,他忽略了潜在的风险。(When making the decision, he ignored the potential risks.)
In academic writing, 忽略 is an essential verb for defining the scope of a study. A researcher might write, 'In this model, we 忽略 the effects of air resistance to simplify the calculation.' This usage is purely technical and carries no negative moral judgment. In contrast, in a literary context, a character might 忽略 a subtle glance from a lover, which serves as a plot point indicating a lack of emotional awareness. Understanding these different 'flavors' of 忽略 will help you use it more naturally. Remember that 忽略 is a 'high-agency' verb; it implies that the subject had the opportunity to notice but didn't. Therefore, it is often paired with adverbs of frequency like '经常' (often), '总是' (always), or '偶尔' (occasionally) to describe patterns of behavior.
- Common Object: 细节 (Details)
- 忽略细节 (Overlooking details) is the most frequent collocation, used in work, art, and daily tasks.
- Common Object: 感受 (Feelings)
- 忽略别人的感受 (Ignoring others' feelings) is a common phrase in social and psychological discussions.
虽然他很忙,但他从不忽略家人的需要。(Although he is very busy, he never ignores his family's needs.)
The word 忽略 (hū lüè) is deeply embedded in the daily life of Mandarin speakers, appearing in a wide range of social, professional, and digital settings. One of the most common places you will encounter this word today is in the digital world. Mobile apps and operating systems frequently use 忽略 in their user interfaces. For example, if you receive a notification or a call that you don't want to deal with, the 'Ignore' button is often labeled '忽略.' Similarly, in software development, an 'ignore file' (like .gitignore) is translated as '忽略文件.' This has made the word extremely familiar even to younger children who use technology.
- In the Workplace
- During project meetings or performance reviews, 忽略 is used to discuss errors or missing information. A manager might say, 'We cannot 忽略 the feedback from our customers.' Or a colleague might apologize, saying, 'Sorry, I 忽略-ed that email.' It is a professional way to acknowledge a lapse in attention.
- In News and Media
- Journalists often use 忽略 when criticizing policy or social trends. Phrases like '被忽略的群体' (the ignored groups/marginalized groups) or '忽略了长期影响' (ignored the long-term impact) are staples of investigative reporting and social commentary.
- In Personal Relationships
- This is where 忽略 carries the most emotional weight. You might hear someone say in a drama or a real-life argument, '你总是忽略我的存在!' (You always ignore my existence/presence!). It conveys a sense of being invisible or undervalued.
在这个广告中,他们忽略了产品的缺点,只强调优点。(In this advertisement, they ignored the product's flaws and only emphasized the strengths.)
Another interesting place you hear 忽略 is in the classroom. Teachers often remind students not to 忽略 basic concepts while chasing advanced problems. '不要因为题简单就忽略它' (Don't ignore the question just because it's simple). In this context, it functions as a pedagogical tool to encourage thoroughness. Furthermore, in Chinese literature and cinema, 忽略 is often used to describe the tragic flaw of a protagonist who misses a crucial piece of information or a person's love, leading to a dramatic downfall. This 'blindness' is a recurring theme in storytelling.
由于他的忽略,公司损失了一大笔钱。(Due to his oversight/neglect, the company lost a large sum of money.)
Finally, in the realm of health and wellness, you will see 忽略 in articles about mental health and self-care. Modern lifestyle articles often talk about how we 忽略 our physical health for the sake of work, or how we 忽略 our inner peace in a noisy world. '不要忽略你的心理健康' (Don't ignore your mental health) is a common slogan in modern Chinese social media. Because it covers such a wide range of 'missing out'—from digital notifications to deep emotional needs—忽略 is a word that you will hear daily if you immerse yourself in a Chinese-speaking environment. It reflects the universal human struggle to balance focus and awareness in a world full of distractions.
- Science and Math
- In physics problems, you often hear '忽略空气阻力' (ignoring air resistance). This is a standard phrase used to simplify problems for students.
- Legal and Formal
- In legal documents, 忽略 might be used to describe 'negligence' in a non-technical sense, though more specific legal terms usually take its place in formal courtrooms.
很多时候,我们忽略了生活中最简单的快乐。(Many times, we ignore the simplest joys in life.)
Learning to use 忽略 (hū lüè) correctly involves navigating a few common pitfalls that English speakers and early intermediate learners often encounter. The most frequent mistake is confusing 忽略 with its synonyms, particularly 忽视 (hū shì) and 疏忽 (shū hu). While they all relate to 'not paying attention,' their usage patterns and nuances differ significantly. Understanding these differences is key to sounding like a native speaker.
- Mistake 1: 忽略 vs. 忽视 (hū shì)
- This is the most common confusion. 忽略 is often more 'accidental' or 'technical' (overlooking a detail), while 忽视 is often more 'deliberate' or 'serious' (neglecting a person's rights or a child's education). For example, you 忽略 a typo, but you 忽视 your health. If you use 忽略 when you should use 忽视, you might sound like you're downplaying the seriousness of the neglect.
- Mistake 2: 忽略 vs. 疏忽 (shū hu)
- 疏忽 is usually a noun or a verb meaning 'negligence' or 'carelessness.' It focuses on the *state* of being careless. 忽略 is the *act* of missing something. You might say '由于我的疏忽 (due to my negligence), 我忽略了那个细节 (I overlooked that detail).' You wouldn't say '由于我的忽略' as commonly as '由于我的疏忽.'
- Mistake 3: Incorrect Object Placement
- English speakers sometimes try to use 忽略 like 'ignore' in the sense of 'refusing to talk to someone.' While you can say '他忽略了我' (He ignored me), if you mean he is giving you the 'silent treatment,' a more natural term might be '不理我' (bù lǐ wǒ - not paying attention to/responding to me).
错误:他忽略了他的孩子。(Incorrect if meaning 'neglected his child's upbringing' - use 忽视 instead.)
正确:他忽视了他的孩子。
Another mistake involves the 'le' (了) particle. Because 忽略 is often about a completed act of missing something, learners sometimes forget to add '了' when describing a past event. For example, '我忽略了那个通知' (I missed/ignored that notice) is correct. Without '了', it sounds like a general habit or a command. Additionally, be careful with the passive voice. In English, we often say 'I was ignored.' In Chinese, while you can say '我被忽略了,' it often sounds better to specify who did the ignoring or to use a different construction like '没有人理我' (No one paid attention to me) if the context is social.
不要因为忙碌而忽略了健康。(Don't ignore/neglect your health because of busyness.)
Lastly, learners often 忽略 (pun intended!) the formal tone that 忽略 can take. In very informal street slang, 忽略 might sound a bit 'stiff.' If you're telling a friend to 'ignore that guy' at a bar, you'd more likely say '别理他' (bié lǐ tā). Save 忽略 for when you are talking about information, details, or a more generalized sense of 'overlooking' something. By paying attention to these subtle differences in register and synonym choice, you will avoid the clunky phrasing that marks a learner and instead move toward the fluid, natural speech of a B1-B2 level speaker. The key is to remember: 忽略 is about the *omission of attention*.
- Mistake 4: Overusing it for 'Forget'
- If you forgot your keys at home, you didn't 忽略 them; you 忘记 (wàng jì) them. 忽略 involves failing to notice something that was available to be noticed.
这个问题太重要了,我们绝不能忽略。(This issue is too important; we absolutely cannot ignore it.)
To truly master 忽略 (hū lüè), you must understand where it sits in the ecosystem of Chinese verbs related to attention and neglect. Chinese is a language rich in synonyms that distinguish between the *reason* for the neglect, the *seriousness* of the omission, and the *object* being ignored. Here, we will compare 忽略 with its most common alternatives to help you choose the right word for every situation.
- 忽略 (hū lüè) vs. 忽视 (hū shì)
- As mentioned before, 忽略 is often for 'overlooking' (accidental/technical), whereas 忽视 is for 'neglecting' (intentional/serious). If you 'ignore' a warning sign and get into an accident, both could work, but 忽视 suggests you saw it and didn't care, while 忽略 might suggest you just didn't notice it. 忽视 is common in social justice contexts (忽视人权).
- 忽略 (hū lüè) vs. 疏忽 (shū hu)
- 疏忽 specifically implies 'carelessness' or 'a lapse in concentration.' It is often used to explain why an accident happened. '因为一时的疏忽' (Due to a momentary lapse/carelessness). 忽略 is the result (you missed the thing), while 疏忽 is the cause (you were being careless).
- 忽略 (hū lüè) vs. 遗漏 (yí lòu)
- 遗漏 means 'to omit' or 'to leave out' by mistake. It is almost always used for physical items or specific pieces of information in a list. If you forget to include a name on an invitation list, you 遗漏-ed it. 忽略 is more about the mental act of not paying attention.
对比:
1. 他忽略了细节。(He overlooked the details - neutral/accidental)
2. 他忽视了我的建议。(He disregarded my advice - more intentional/rude)
There are also more 'active' verbs for ignoring. If you want to say 'to turn a blind eye,' you might use the idiom 视而不见 (shì ér bù jiàn). This is much stronger than 忽略; it implies you are looking right at something and pretending not to see it. If you are 'ignoring' someone by not speaking to them, use 不理 (bù lǐ). For example, '别理他' (Ignore him/Don't pay him any mind). In a professional setting, if you are 'skipping' a step, you might use 省略 (shěng lüè), which means to omit something intentionally to save time or space, like omitting a repetitive paragraph in a book.
这个计划很完美,但它忽略了成本问题。(This plan is perfect, but it ignored the cost issue.)
Finally, consider the word 冷落 (lěng luò). This is specifically for 'ignoring' a person in a way that makes them feel lonely or left out. If a husband 忽略s his wife, he might just be busy. If he 冷落s her, he is actively making her feel the 'coldness' of his lack of attention. By learning these distinctions, you can express yourself with much more precision. 忽略 remains the most 'general' and 'safe' word for most 'ignoring' situations, but as you reach B2 and C1 levels, these subtle shifts in word choice will become the hallmark of your fluency. Always ask yourself: Is this an accident (忽略), a choice (忽视), a mistake (疏忽), or a social snub (冷落)?
- Summary Table
- - 忽略: Overlook (General/Technical)
- 忽视: Neglect (Intentional/Serious)
- 疏忽: Carelessness (Cause of error)
- 遗漏: Omission (Missing from a list)
- 视而不见: Turn a blind eye (Idiom/Willful)
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The character 忽 is often used in the word 忽然 (hū rán), meaning 'suddenly.' This links the concept of 'ignoring' to a sudden lapse in attention.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'lüè' as 'lü' or 'lü-eh' with the wrong tone.
- Pronouncing 'hū' with a falling tone instead of a high level tone.
- Confusing the 'ü' sound with a standard 'u' sound.
- Failing to make the 4th tone on 'lüè' sharp enough.
- Merging the two syllables into one blurred sound.
Difficulty Rating
The characters are relatively simple, but the nuance in formal texts can be tricky.
Requires correct stroke order for 'lüè' and understanding when to use 'le'.
Pronouncing the 'ü' sound correctly is the main challenge for English speakers.
Easily recognized once the 'hū' sound is identified.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
The 'Le' (了) Particle
他忽略了那个问题。(He ignored that problem - completed action.)
Passive Voice with 'Bei' (被)
这个建议被忽略了。(This suggestion was ignored.)
Negation with 'Bu' (不) and 'Mei' (没)
我没忽略你的话。(I didn't ignore your words.)
Potential Complements
这个细节不能忽略。(This detail cannot be ignored.)
Adverbial Placement
他故意忽略了我的存在。(He deliberately ignored my existence.)
Examples by Level
不要忽略我的电话。
Don't ignore my phone call.
Simple command using 不要 (don't).
他忽略了那个红色的按钮。
He ignored that red button.
Use of 了 to indicate a past action.
我忽略了一个字。
I overlooked a character.
A simple Subject-Verb-Object sentence.
请忽略这个信息。
Please ignore this message.
Formal request using 请 (please).
她忽略了我的问候。
She ignored my greeting.
Social context for ignoring.
你忽略了早饭吗?
Did you skip/ignore breakfast?
Question form using 吗.
不要忽略老师的话。
Don't ignore the teacher's words.
Negation + Noun phrase.
我忽略了天气预报。
I ignored the weather forecast.
Subject-Verb-Object with a compound noun.
在写作业时,我忽略了时间。
While doing homework, I lost track of (ignored) time.
Using '在...时' to indicate 'while'.
他忽略了朋友的建议,结果失败了。
He ignored his friend's advice and failed as a result.
Compound sentence showing cause and effect.
这个小错误很容易被忽略。
This small mistake is easily ignored.
Passive voice using 被.
你不能忽略身体的健康。
You cannot ignore your physical health.
Modal verb 不能 (cannot).
她总是忽略我的感受。
She always ignores my feelings.
Frequency adverb 总是 (always).
我们忽略了房间里的味道。
We ignored the smell in the room.
Verb + noun phrase.
请不要忽略第十页的内容。
Please do not ignore the content on page ten.
Specific locational object.
由于忙碌,他忽略了家人的生日。
Due to being busy, he ignored his family's birthdays.
Using '由于' (due to) to explain the reason.
在讨论计划时,我们忽略了一个重要的细节。
While discussing the plan, we overlooked an important detail.
B1 level vocabulary: 讨论, 计划, 细节.
很多年轻人忽略了存钱的重要性。
Many young people ignore the importance of saving money.
Abstract object: 重要性 (importance).
你忽略了这件事可能带来的风险。
You ignored the risks that this matter might bring.
Complex noun phrase as object.
医生说他忽略了早期的症状。
The doctor said he ignored the early symptoms.
Reported speech using 说.
不要因为追求速度而忽略了质量。
Don't ignore quality because of pursuing speed.
Structure: 因为...而... (because of... then...).
这个软件忽略了一些不常用的功能。
This software ignored some uncommonly used functions.
Technical context usage.
他觉得自己在这个团队中被忽略了。
He feels that he has been ignored in this team.
Expressing feelings with 觉得 and 被.
我们不能忽略环境保护的问题。
We cannot ignore the issue of environmental protection.
Social context usage.
在计算过程中,我们可以忽略空气阻力。
In the calculation process, we can ignore air resistance.
Scientific/Academic usage.
他那傲慢的态度让人无法忽略。
His arrogant attitude is impossible to ignore.
Resultative structure: 让人无法... (makes people unable to...).
作者在书中忽略了历史背景的复杂性。
The author ignored the complexity of the historical background in the book.
Literary criticism context.
忽略这些警告可能会导致严重的后果。
Ignoring these warnings might lead to serious consequences.
Gerund-like usage as the subject of the sentence.
公司在扩张时忽略了企业文化的建设。
The company ignored the construction of corporate culture during expansion.
Business management context.
这是一个不容忽略的社会现象。
This is a social phenomenon that cannot be ignored.
Formal phrase: 不容忽略 (not allowed to be ignored).
他试图忽略内心的恐惧,继续前进。
He tried to ignore the fear in his heart and keep moving forward.
Psychological context.
法律不能忽略任何一个细节,否则就会有失公正。
The law cannot ignore any single detail, otherwise it will lose justice.
Legal context with conditional 'otherwise'.
该理论忽略了文化差异对认知的影响。
The theory ignored the influence of cultural differences on cognition.
Formal academic critique.
虽然他在事业上很成功,但他忽略了精神世界的修养。
Although he is successful in his career, he ignored the cultivation of his spiritual world.
Contrastive structure: 虽然...但... (although... but...).
这种做法显然忽略了长远利益而只顾眼前。
This approach clearly ignores long-term interests in favor of immediate ones.
Advanced adverb 显然 (clearly) and phrase 只顾眼前 (only care about the present).
在城市规划中,弱势群体的需求往往被忽略。
In urban planning, the needs of vulnerable groups are often ignored.
Sociopolitical context with passive voice.
我们不能忽略文学作品中的潜台词。
We cannot ignore the subtext in literary works.
Abstract literary analysis.
他那种被忽略的失落感逐渐变成了愤怒。
His sense of loss from being ignored gradually turned into anger.
Complex psychological state description.
在追求经济增长的同时,不应忽略生态平衡。
While pursuing economic growth, ecological balance should not be ignored.
Structure: 在...的同时 (at the same time as...).
这个细节虽然微小,却是不容忽略的关键点。
Although this detail is tiny, it is a key point that cannot be ignored.
Emphatic use of 却是 (is actually).
宏观经济模型往往会忽略个体行为的随机性。
Macroeconomic models often ignore the randomness of individual behavior.
High-level scientific/economic terminology.
历史学家指出,过去的研究严重忽略了女性在革命中的作用。
Historians point out that past research severely ignored the role of women in the revolution.
Historical revisionism context.
在高度数字化的今天,我们不应忽略人与人之间面对面交流的温度。
In today's highly digitized world, we should not ignore the 'warmth' of face-to-face communication.
Metaphorical use of 'temperature' (温度) for human connection.
这种偏见往往源于对事实的刻意忽略。
This bias often stems from a deliberate ignoring of the facts.
Abstract noun phrase: 刻意忽略 (deliberate ignoring).
任何忽略基本人权的发展模式都是不可持续的。
Any development model that ignores basic human rights is unsustainable.
Strong philosophical/political assertion.
他在处理外交事务时,巧妙地忽略了那些敏感的争议点。
In handling diplomatic affairs, he skillfully ignored those sensitive points of contention.
Adverb 巧妙地 (skillfully) describing a strategic act.
这种艺术风格追求的是一种被主流审美所忽略的原始美感。
What this artistic style pursues is a primitive aesthetic ignored by mainstream aesthetics.
Complex passive structure with 所.
如果我们忽略了这些微小的变量,整个实验结果将失去意义。
If we ignore these tiny variables, the entire experimental result will lose its meaning.
Conditional 'If... then...' (如果...将...).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Negligible; so small it doesn't need to be considered. Used in math and science.
在物理题中,摩擦力通常忽略不计。
— An overlooked corner; a place or group that no one pays attention to.
我们要关注社会中那些被忽略的角落。
— Must not ignore under any circumstances. Used for emphasis.
千万不要忽略身体发出的信号。
— Easy to be overlooked. Describes things that aren't obvious.
这个细节很容易被忽略。
— Failed to realize how important something is.
他忽略了团队合作的重要性。
— To completely disregard or miss something entirely.
他完全忽略了我的存在。
— A factor that cannot be ignored. Used in decision making.
成本是不能忽略的因素。
— Failed to consider the results or consequences of an action.
他做决定时忽略了后果。
— Failed to notice a shift or change in a situation.
我们忽略了市场的微小变化。
— Failed to address what is needed by a person or group.
这个政策忽略了农民的需求。
Often Confused With
忽视 is more about 'looking down on' or 'deliberately neglecting' something important.
疏忽 is the 'carelessness' that leads to an oversight, rather than the act of overlooking itself.
遗漏 is specifically for forgetting to include something in a list or collection.
Idioms & Expressions
— To look but not see; to turn a blind eye to something obvious.
他对眼前的贫困视而不见。
Literary— To hear but not listen; to turn a deaf ear to advice or noise.
他对我提出的建议充耳不闻。
Literary— Similar to 充耳不闻; hearing without actually processing the sound.
他心不在焉,对我的话听而不闻。
Literary— To put something aside and ignore it; to pay no attention to a matter.
他对我发出的警告置之不理。
Formal— To lower one's guard; to treat something too lightly and thus ignore the danger.
虽然情况好转,但我们绝不能掉以轻心。
Common— To be so used to seeing something that you no longer notice it.
大家对随地吐痰的现象已经熟视无睹了。
Literary— Neither hearing nor asking; showing total indifference to a matter.
他对自己公司的业务不闻不问。
Common— Like wind blowing past a horse's ear; to be completely indifferent to advice.
我的话在他看来就像马耳东风。
Literary— To act as if one hasn't heard; to ignore completely.
面对大家的批评,他置若罔闻。
Formal— Careless; not paying attention because one's mind is elsewhere.
他漫不经心地忽略了最重要的部分。
CommonEasily Confused
Both translate to 'ignore' in English.
忽略 is often accidental (overlooking a typo), while 忽视 is often intentional or more serious (neglecting a duty).
我忽略了一个错别字。(I overlooked a typo.) vs. 他忽视了安全规定。(He ignored/disregarded safety regulations.)
Both involve a lack of attention.
疏忽 is a noun or verb for 'carelessness' (the cause), whereas 忽略 is the act of not noticing (the result).
这是我的疏忽。(This is my carelessness.)
Both mean something was missed.
遗漏 is used for physical items or specific data points left out of a set. 忽略 is more about mental attention.
名单上遗漏了他的名字。(His name was omitted from the list.)
Both involve leaving something out.
省略 is almost always a deliberate, positive choice to be concise. 忽略 is usually a negative failure to notice.
这里可以省略几个词。(A few words can be omitted here.)
Both mean 'ignore'.
不理 is informal and social (not responding to a person). 忽略 is more general and can be applied to objects and data.
他今天不理我。(He's ignoring me today.)
Sentence Patterns
不要忽略 + Noun
不要忽略健康。
Subject + 忽略了 + Noun Phrase
我们忽略了那个重要的细节。
Noun + 容易被忽略
小错误容易被忽略。
Subject + 忽略不计
这点小钱可以忽略不计。
不容忽略的 + Noun
这是一个不容忽略的问题。
在...的同时,不应忽略...
在发展经济的同时,不应忽略环境保护。
Subject + 显然忽略了...
你的计划显然忽略了成本。
被...所忽略
这种美感常被世人所忽略。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Very common in both written and spoken Chinese, especially in news and professional settings.
-
Using 忽略 for forgetting physical objects.
→
使用 '忘记' (wàng jì).
忽略 is about attention, not memory of location. You can't 'ignore' your keys at home; you 'forget' them.
-
Confusing 忽略 with 忽视 in serious contexts.
→
使用 '忽视' (hū shì).
If you are talking about neglecting a child or human rights, 忽视 is more appropriate as it implies a more serious moral failure.
-
Omitting '了' for past oversights.
→
我忽略了那个细节。
Without '了', it sounds like a general rule or a command rather than something that actually happened.
-
Using 忽略 as an intransitive verb.
→
他忽略了我。(He ignored me.)
忽略 needs an object. You can't just say 'He ignored.' You must say what he ignored.
-
Pronouncing 'lüè' as 'lù'.
→
Focus on the 'ü' sound.
The 'ü' and 'u' are completely different sounds in Chinese. 'Lù' means road; 'lüè' means ignore/summary.
Tips
Use with 'Le'
When you have already missed something, always add '了' after 忽略. For example: '我忽略了那个通知' (I missed that notice).
Professional Tone
In a work email, use '忽略' to politely ask someone to disregard a previous message: '请忽略上一封邮件' (Please ignore the previous email).
Spot the Difference
Remember: 忽略 is for 'missing' something; 忽视 is for 'neglecting' something. Use 忽略 for typos and 忽视 for duties.
Pronunciation Help
Don't let the 'ü' scare you! If you can't get it perfect, just focus on making the 4th tone on 'lüè' very sharp and quick.
Emphasizing Importance
Use the pattern '不可忽略' to say something is very important. '这是一个不可忽略的因素' sounds very professional.
Saving Face
In social situations, you can '忽略' a friend's minor social blunder to help them 'save face.' It's a sign of maturity.
Context Clues
If you hear 'hū lüè bù jì,' the speaker is talking about something unimportant or tiny.
Mnemonic
Think of 'Hū' as 'Who?'—as in, 'Who noticed that? No one, because we 忽略-ed it!'
Easy to Miss
Memorize '容易被忽略' (easy to be overlooked). It's a very common phrase in both daily life and exams.
Formal vs Informal
For people, use '不理' (informal) or '冷落' (emotional). For facts and things, use '忽略'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a person who is so 'sudden' (忽) that they only see the 'outline' (略) of things, missing all the details in between.
Visual Association
Picture a person walking past a bright red 'Danger' sign while looking at their phone. They are 忽略-ing the sign.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find three things in your room right now that you usually 忽略. Write a sentence for each using the word 忽略.
Word Origin
The word is composed of two characters: 忽 (hū) and 略 (lüè). 忽 originally meant 'suddenly' or 'to neglect/forget.' It contains the 'heart' radical (心), suggesting a mental state. 略 originally meant 'boundaries' or 'to plan/summarize.'
Original meaning: The combination originally referred to treating something briefly or summarily, thereby neglecting the details.
Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).Cultural Context
Be careful when using 忽略 regarding people's feelings; it can sound quite hurtful or accusatory if used in a personal argument.
English speakers often use 'ignore' to mean 'deliberately not talk to someone.' In Chinese, while 忽略 can mean this, it is more commonly used for 'overlooking' information.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Professional/Office
- 忽略了细节
- 忽略了风险
- 忽略了邮件
- 不能忽略反馈
Academic/Scientific
- 忽略摩擦力
- 忽略不计
- 忽略变量
- 忽略背景
Personal Relationships
- 忽略我的感受
- 忽略我的存在
- 被冷落/忽略
- 别忽略家人
Health/Safety
- 忽略警告
- 忽略症状
- 忽略健康
- 忽略安全规则
Digital/Software
- 忽略通知
- 忽略请求
- 忽略文件
- 忽略此消息
Conversation Starters
"你觉得在工作中,人们最容易忽略什么细节?"
"你曾经因为忽略了什么重要信息而后悔吗?"
"在一段感情中,你觉得最不能被忽略的是什么?"
"我们应该如何避免忽略那些微小的快乐?"
"你认为现在的社会忽略了哪些群体的利益?"
Journal Prompts
写一写你曾经忽略的一个小细节,以及它后来造成了什么影响。
反思一下,在忙碌的生活中,你是否忽略了自己的心理健康?
描述一次你觉得自己被朋友或同事忽略的经历。
讨论一下在科学研究中,为什么有时候需要故意忽略一些变量。
如果你可以提醒过去的自己不要忽略一件事,那会是什么?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you should use 忘记 (wàng jì). 忽略 is for not paying attention to something that is present, whereas 忘记 is for the information leaving your memory. For example, you can 忽略 a warning sign on the wall, but you 忘记 your keys at home.
忽略 (hū lüè) is more neutral and often describes an accidental oversight or a technical omission (like ignoring friction). 忽视 (hū shì) is usually more serious and often implies a deliberate disregard or a failure to respect something important, like 忽视人权 (ignoring human rights).
You use the phrase 忽略不计 (hū lüè bù jì), which literally means 'ignore and don't calculate.' It is used for anything so small that it doesn't affect the final result.
It can be. If you say '你忽略了我' (You ignored me), it sounds like a complaint. If you want to be more casual, you might say '你没理我' (You didn't pay attention to me). In a professional setting, 忽略 is quite standard.
Yes, it is very common. You can say '被忽略了' (was ignored). For example, '这个细节被忽略了' (This detail was overlooked).
The most common opposites are 重视 (zhòng shì - to value/attach importance to) and 注意 (zhù yì - to pay attention to).
Yes, it is the standard word for 'ignore' in software, such as '忽略文件' (ignore files) or '忽略错误' (ignore errors).
Yes, it can function as a noun meaning 'oversight' or 'neglect,' though it is more commonly used as a verb. For example, '由于他的忽略...' (Due to his oversight...).
Shape your lips as if you are going to say 'oo' (like in 'boot'), but then try to say 'ee' (like in 'bee') without moving your lips. That is the 'ü' sound.
Yes, it is a common word in HSK 4 and HSK 5 levels (equivalent to CEFR B1/B2).
Test Yourself 200 questions
Write a sentence: 'Don't ignore me.'
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Write a sentence: 'I overlooked a small mistake.'
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Write a sentence: 'We cannot ignore the importance of details.'
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Write a sentence: 'He ignored his family's feelings.'
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Write a sentence: 'This is a problem that is easily overlooked.'
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Write a sentence: 'Don't ignore the risks of the investment.'
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Write a sentence: 'The report ignored the long-term environmental impact.'
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Write a sentence: 'It is a factor that cannot be ignored in urban planning.'
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Write a sentence: 'The diplomat skillfully ignored the controversial topic.'
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Translate: 'Please ignore this.'
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Translate: 'He ignored my call.'
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Translate: 'Don't ignore health for work.'
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Translate: 'I missed a word.'
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Translate: 'Friction can be ignored.'
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Translate: 'His attitude is impossible to ignore.'
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Translate: 'The theory ignores cultural differences.'
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Translate: 'The needs of the poor are often ignored.'
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Translate: 'This bias stems from deliberate ignoring of facts.'
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Write the characters for 'hū lüè'.
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Write a sentence about ignoring a warning.
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Pronounce: 忽略
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'Ignore it.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'Don't ignore me.'
Read this aloud:
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Say: 'I overlooked the time.'
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Say: 'We cannot ignore the details.'
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Say: 'He ignored my advice.'
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Say: 'This detail is easily overlooked.'
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You said:
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Say: 'Friction is negligible.'
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Explain in Chinese why ignoring health is bad.
Read this aloud:
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Use '不容忽略' in a sentence about education.
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Repeat: hū lüè
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'He ignored the warning.'
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You said:
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Say: 'Don't ignore your feelings.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'I missed a typo.'
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You said:
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Say: 'It's an important factor.'
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You said:
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Say: 'He deliberately ignored me.'
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Talk about an ignored social group.
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Discuss ignoring long-term goals.
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Say: 'Please ignore the message.'
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Say: 'He ignored the market changes.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Listen and identify the word: hū lüè
Listen to the sentence: '不要忽略我。' What is the speaker saying?
Listen: '他忽略了最重要的细节。' What did he miss?
Listen: '我们忽略了天气。' What did they ignore?
Listen: '这个问题不容忽略。' Is the problem small?
Listen: '摩擦力忽略不计。' Should we calculate friction?
Listen: '作者忽略了历史的复杂性。' What is the critique?
Listen: '这种现象常被忽略。' Is this common to see?
Listen: '请忽略。' What is the instruction?
Listen: '我忽略了日期。' What was missed?
Listen: '不要忽略健康。' What is the advice?
Listen: '他忽略了我的感受。' Who is being ignored?
Listen: '容易被忽略。' Is it obvious?
Listen: '刻意忽略事实。' Is it an accident?
Listen: '忽略了随机性。' What was missed?
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 忽略 (hū lüè) is your go-to verb for 'overlooking' or 'ignoring' anything from a tiny typo to a person's feelings. It is essential for explaining mistakes or discussing priorities. Example: '不要忽略细节' (Don't ignore the details).
- 忽略 means 'to ignore' or 'to overlook,' used for both accidental omissions and intentional disregard.
- It is a transitive verb, typically following the Subject + 忽略 + Object structure.
- Commonly used in professional, technical, and social contexts to describe missing details or feelings.
- It is more neutral than its synonym 忽视, which often implies a more serious or cold-hearted neglect.
Use with 'Le'
When you have already missed something, always add '了' after 忽略. For example: '我忽略了那个通知' (I missed that notice).
Professional Tone
In a work email, use '忽略' to politely ask someone to disregard a previous message: '请忽略上一封邮件' (Please ignore the previous email).
Spot the Difference
Remember: 忽略 is for 'missing' something; 忽视 is for 'neglecting' something. Use 忽略 for typos and 忽视 for duties.
Pronunciation Help
Don't let the 'ü' scare you! If you can't get it perfect, just focus on making the 4th tone on 'lüè' very sharp and quick.
Example
在分析问题时,我们不能忽略任何细节。
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