Explanation at your level:
You use this word when you do not care. If you see a toy and you do not want it, you feel indifference. It is a simple way to say 'I don't care'.
Indifference means having no interest. If you are indifferent to a movie, you don't mind if you watch it or not. It is a useful word for talking about your feelings.
This word describes a lack of concern. We often use it when people don't pay attention to important things. For example, 'Public indifference to the environment is a problem.'
Indifference is a state of emotional neutrality. It is distinct from hatred; while hatred is an active negative emotion, indifference is the absence of any emotional response at all.
In academic or literary contexts, indifference can imply a philosophical detachment. It suggests a conscious choice to remain uninvolved in external events or social pressures.
Mastering this word involves understanding its nuance in social critique. It is often used to describe the 'banality of evil' or the silent complicity that arises when individuals choose to remain indifferent to systemic injustice.
30秒词汇
- Means lack of interest or concern.
- Used as a noun or with -하다.
- Opposite of '관심' (interest).
- Often implies a social or emotional distance.
When we talk about 무관심 (indifference), we are describing a situation where someone simply doesn't care. It is that feeling of being neutral or detached. Imagine you are asked to choose between two flavors of ice cream, and you honestly don't have a preference—that is a mild form of indifference.
However, the word can also carry a heavier weight. If someone shows 무관심 toward a friend in need, it implies a lack of empathy or concern. It is the opposite of passion or curiosity. As a teacher, I like to think of it as a 'blank' space in one's emotional map where nothing is happening.
The word 무관심 is a Sino-Korean word. It is composed of three distinct characters: 무 (無), meaning 'none' or 'without'; 관 (關), meaning 'relation' or 'connection'; and 심 (心), meaning 'heart' or 'mind'.
Historically, this term suggests that when you are indifferent, your heart has no 'connection' to the subject. It is fascinating how languages use the heart to describe emotional states. In ancient philosophical texts, this term was often used to describe a state of calm detachment, though in modern daily usage, it often carries a slightly negative connotation of neglect.
You will often see 무관심 used in social or political contexts. For example, 'political indifference' (정치적 무관심) is a common phrase used when people stop caring about elections. It is a formal, standard noun.
In casual conversation, you might say someone is 'showing indifference' (무관심을 보이다). It is important to note that while it is neutral in definition, using it to describe a person's attitude toward others can sound quite cold or critical.
1. 눈 하나 깜짝 안 하다 (Not batting an eye): Showing total indifference to a situation. 2. 강 건너 불 보듯 하다 (Watching a fire across the river): Being indifferent to someone else's trouble. 3. 귀를 닫다 (Closing one's ears): Refusing to listen due to indifference. 4. 남의 일처럼 여기다 (Treating it like someone else's business): Showing lack of personal concern. 5. 시큰둥하다 (Being lukewarm): Showing a lack of enthusiasm.
As a noun, 무관심 functions as the subject or object of a sentence. It is often paired with verbs like 'to show' (보이다) or 'to have' (가지다). The pronunciation is straightforward, with the stress falling naturally on the middle syllable.
In English, it translates to 'indifference' or 'apathy'. Note that 'apathy' is a stronger, more clinical term, while 'indifference' is the direct equivalent for this Korean noun.
Fun Fact
The character '心' (heart) is used in many Korean words for emotions.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'moo-gwan-sim'.
Sounds like 'moo-gwan-sim'.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'gwan' as 'gwon'.
- Dropping the final 'm'.
- Stress on the wrong syllable.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
高级
Grammar to Know
Noun + 하다
무관심하다
Particles (에)
정치에 무관심하다
Noun + 을/를
무관심을 보이다
Examples by Level
나는 그것에 무관심하다.
I am indifferent to that.
Simple sentence structure.
그는 세상일에 무관심해 보인다.
그녀는 결과에 무관심했다.
무관심은 때로 상처가 된다.
나는 그 소문에 무관심하다.
무관심한 태도를 버려라.
학생들의 무관심이 문제다.
그의 무관심이 나를 슬프게 했다.
무관심하게 행동하지 마세요.
정치에 대한 무관심은 위험하다.
그녀는 주변의 시선에 무관심했다.
무관심은 사랑의 반대말이다.
그의 무관심한 말투가 차갑다.
우리는 기후 변화에 무관심해서는 안 된다.
무관심 속에 방치된 아이들.
그는 자신의 건강에 무관심하다.
무관심한 반응을 보였다.
대중의 무관심이 사태를 악화시켰다.
그는 타인의 고통에 무관심한 듯 보였다.
지나친 무관심은 소통을 단절시킨다.
사회적 무관심을 해결할 방안이 필요하다.
그의 무관심은 의도적인 것이었다.
무관심한 태도로 일관하다.
무관심의 벽을 허물어야 한다.
그는 무관심으로 일관하며 대답을 피했다.
그의 철학은 무관심의 미학을 담고 있다.
무관심은 현대 사회의 고질적인 병폐이다.
그녀는 무관심을 가장한 차가운 분노를 보였다.
무관심이 낳은 비극적인 결과.
그는 무관심의 가면을 쓰고 있었다.
무관심한 방관자가 되지 마라.
그의 무관심은 깊은 상실감에서 비롯되었다.
무관심은 무지보다 더 위험할 수 있다.
무관심은 실존적 고독의 한 형태일지도 모른다.
그의 태도는 완벽한 무관심의 극치를 보여주었다.
무관심의 심연에서 그는 자신을 잃어갔다.
사회적 무관심에 대한 날카로운 통찰.
무관심은 도덕적 해이의 시작이다.
그의 무관심은 냉소주의와 맞닿아 있었다.
무관심의 정치는 민주주의를 위협한다.
무관심한 관찰자로서의 삶을 선택했다.
常见搭配
Idioms & Expressions
"강 건너 불 보듯"
Watching a fire from across the river (indifferent to others' trouble).
강 건너 불 보듯 하지 말고 도와줘.
neutral"눈 하나 깜짝 안 하다"
Not batting an eye (showing no reaction).
그는 비난에도 눈 하나 깜짝 안 했다.
neutral"귀를 닫다"
Closing ears (refusing to listen).
그는 진실에 귀를 닫고 있다.
neutral"남의 일처럼 여기다"
Treating it like someone else's business.
자신의 일인데 남의 일처럼 여긴다.
neutral"시큰둥하다"
Being lukewarm or uninterested.
그는 제안에 시큰둥했다.
casual"나 몰라라 하다"
Pretending not to know/care.
문제를 나 몰라라 하지 마라.
casualEasily Confused
Similar sound
무관 means unrelated.
그와는 무관한 일이다.
Similar feeling
냉담 is colder/harsher.
그녀는 냉담했다.
Similar meaning
무심 is more about being unthoughtful.
무심한 행동.
Antonym
Opposite meaning.
관심이 많다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 에 + 무관심하다
나는 정치에 무관심하다.
Subject + 은/는 + 무관심을 + 보이다
그는 무관심을 보였다.
무관심한 + Noun
무관심한 태도가 문제다.
무관심으로 + Verb
무관심으로 일관했다.
무관심 + 속에서 + Verb
무관심 속에서 자랐다.
词族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
相关
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
常见错误
It is a noun, so you need the suffix -하다 to make it a verb.
무관 means 'unrelated', not 'indifferent'.
Indifference is lack of feeling, not negative feeling.
Usually used for people/concepts; for objects, '관심 없다' is more natural.
Adding '태도' makes it more descriptive in formal contexts.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place a 'blank' sign on your front door.
Native Usage
Use it to describe social issues.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the value of community care.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use with -에.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'gwan' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a verb without -하다.
Did You Know?
It's a Sino-Korean word.
Study Smart
Learn it with its antonym '관심'.
Context
Use it to sound serious.
Pattern
Noun + 을/를 보이다.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Moo (cow) + Gwan (gate) + Sim (heart): The cow at the gate has no heart for the farm.
Visual Association
A person looking at a blank wall.
Word Web
挑战
Try to identify three things you are indifferent to today.
词源
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: No connection of mind
文化背景
Can be seen as an insult if used to describe someone's care for family.
The concept is universal, but 'indifference' is often seen as a lack of civic duty in the West.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School
- 수업에 무관심하다
- 공부에 무관심하다
- 친구에게 무관심하다
Politics
- 투표에 무관심하다
- 정치적 무관심
- 사회적 무관심
Relationships
- 상대에게 무관심하다
- 무관심한 태도
- 관심이 필요하다
Work
- 업무에 무관심하다
- 성과에 무관심하다
- 회사일에 무관심하다
Conversation Starters
"요즘 어떤 사회 문제에 관심이 있나요, 아니면 무관심한가요?"
"무관심이 사랑보다 더 나쁜 것일까요?"
"사람들이 왜 정치에 무관심해질까요?"
"무관심한 사람을 어떻게 대해야 할까요?"
"자신의 건강에 무관심한 적이 있나요?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt indifferent to something.
Why do you think indifference is common in big cities?
Is it possible to be indifferent to everything?
Write a story about a character who learns to care.
常见问题
8 个问题Usually, yes, as it implies a lack of care.
It is better used for abstract concepts or people.
Add -하다.
No, dislike is an active negative feeling.
관심 (Interest).
Yes, to describe lack of market interest.
Yes, '무관심한 사람'.
It is standard Korean.
自我测试
그는 세상일에 ___.
Indifference is the right context.
무관심의 뜻은?
Definition check.
무관심은 열정과 같은 말이다.
They are opposites.
Word
意思
Translation match.
Subject-Object-Verb order.
得分： /5
Summary
Indifference is the absence of interest, often serving as a silent barrier between people.
- Means lack of interest or concern.
- Used as a noun or with -하다.
- Opposite of '관심' (interest).
- Often implies a social or emotional distance.
Memory Palace
Place a 'blank' sign on your front door.
Native Usage
Use it to describe social issues.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the value of community care.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use with -에.
Related Content
这个词在其他语言中
更多emotions词汇
받아들이다
A2To accept, to embrace, to take in.
아파하다
A2To feel pain or sorrow.
감탄스럽다
A2To be admirable or wonderful; to inspire awe.
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2To admire or to marvel; to express wonder.
기특하다
B1Admirable for a good deed or thought; commendable.
충고
B1Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action; advice.
애정
B1Affection; a gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
애틋하다
B2To be tender, fond, or wistful.
살갑다
B2To be warm, friendly, affectionate.
