Innocent refers to someone who is blameless and often caught in a situation they did not cause.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to someone who has done nothing wrong.
- Often used to describe victims of unfortunate events.
- Can function as both an adjective and a noun.
Overview
- 1概述：无辜（wúgū）字面意思是没有辜负、没有罪过。它描述一个人未参与负面事件，或对某事不负有责任。在现代汉语中，它常被用来强调受害者的被动地位，表达同情或正义感。2) 使用模式：在句子中，它常作定语（如：无辜的人）或谓语（如：他是无辜的）。它经常与表示伤害的动词连用，如“伤害无辜”、“连累无辜”。3) 常见语境：该词频繁出现在法律新闻、文学叙事以及日常抱怨中。例如在新闻报道中，“无辜平民”是常见的表达。在日常对话中，人们常说“我真的无辜”，用来辩解自己被误解或陷害。4) 近义词辨析：与“清白”相比，“无辜”更侧重于未做错事且可能遭受了损失；而“清白”侧重于道德上的纯洁或法律上的无罪证明。与“单纯”相比，“无辜”带有明显的事件关联性，即必须有一个负面事件作为背景。
Examples
他是无辜的，不应该受到惩罚。
everydayHe is innocent and should not be punished.
法官最终宣布被告无辜。
formalThe judge finally declared the defendant innocent.
别装出一副无辜的样子！
informalStop acting so innocent!
战争中往往有大量无辜者伤亡。
academicThere are often many innocent casualties in war.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
无辜受牵连
innocently implicated
装无辜
feign innocence
无辜者
the innocent
Often Confused With
Refers more to moral purity or lack of stain, whereas '无辜' focuses on lack of guilt in a specific event.
Means naive or childlike. It describes a personality trait, not a legal or moral status regarding guilt.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '无辜' is neutral in formality, used in both casual speech and legal documents. It carries a strong emotional weight when used to describe someone suffering. Avoid using it to describe inanimate objects, as it specifically pertains to moral or legal standing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use '无辜' as a synonym for 'naive', which is incorrect. Another error is using it as a verb, but it can only function as an adjective or a noun. Ensure the context involves a situation where guilt or blame is being discussed.
Tips
Use with emotional verbs
Combine '无辜' with verbs like '伤害' (hurt) or '连累' (implicate) to emphasize the injustice suffered by the victim.
Don't confuse with naive
While '无辜' can sometimes imply a lack of worldliness, it strictly means 'not guilty'. Use '天真' if you mean 'naive'.
Social empathy in Chinese
Using '无辜' often triggers empathy in Chinese culture, as it highlights the vulnerability of the individual against stronger forces.
Word Origin
The character '辜' originally referred to a crime or punishment in ancient Chinese texts. '无辜' thus literally means 'without crime or punishment'.
Cultural Context
The concept of 'innocence' is central to Chinese notions of justice and moral standing. It is often invoked to solicit social support for those perceived as victims of power imbalances.
Memory Tip
Think of '无' (no) + '辜' (crime/sin). If you have 'no crime', you are 'innocent'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“无辜”通常指某人没有做错事却遭受了后果，强调的是结果上的被动；“清白”则侧重于指一个人在道德或法律上没有污点，强调的是身份的纯洁。
可以，这是一种常见的用法，用来表达对动物遭受伤害的同情，强调它们没有能力理解或参与人类的冲突。
可以，例如“无辜的受害者”或“无辜的眼神”，这里的“无辜”作为形容词使用，修饰后面的名词。
在法律语境下，通常使用“被证明无辜”来表达一个人经调查后确认没有犯罪行为，这与“无罪”在语境上高度接近。
Test Yourself
这场意外让许多___的平民失去了家园。
只有“无辜”符合语境，表达平民没有过错却受害。
“他是一个无辜的人”是什么意思？
无辜的核心含义就是没有过错。
无辜/他/证明/被/了/已经
符合中文主谓宾结构及被动语态语法。
Score: /3
Summary
Innocent refers to someone who is blameless and often caught in a situation they did not cause.
- Refers to someone who has done nothing wrong.
- Often used to describe victims of unfortunate events.
- Can function as both an adjective and a noun.
Use with emotional verbs
Combine '无辜' with verbs like '伤害' (hurt) or '连累' (implicate) to emphasize the injustice suffered by the victim.
Don't confuse with naive
While '无辜' can sometimes imply a lack of worldliness, it strictly means 'not guilty'. Use '天真' if you mean 'naive'.
Social empathy in Chinese
Using '无辜' often triggers empathy in Chinese culture, as it highlights the vulnerability of the individual against stronger forces.
Examples
4 of 4他是无辜的，不应该受到惩罚。
He is innocent and should not be punished.
法官最终宣布被告无辜。
The judge finally declared the defendant innocent.
别装出一副无辜的样子！
Stop acting so innocent!
战争中往往有大量无辜者伤亡。
There are often many innocent casualties in war.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
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.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
