无情无义

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: wú qíng wú yì
• English Translation: Heartless and unprincipled; lacking compassion and human warmth
• Idiom Composition: 「无」（None, without）＋「情」（Feelings, compassion）＋「无」（None, without）＋「义」（Righteousness, moral duty）
• Meaning: Lacking awareness of human feelings and moral principles; refers to cruel attitudes or actions that ignore compassion, gratitude, and ethical responsibilities.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「无情无义」 contains the following nuances:

• Lack of compassion: Expresses a lack of human emotions such as empathy, compassion, and affection towards others.
• Disregard for morality: Indicates an attitude of neglecting or ignoring moral duties, gratitude, and social responsibilities that one should uphold.
• Cruelty: Means being indifferent or cold towards the suffering and sadness of others.
• Connotation of blame: Often used with a strong sense of criticism or contempt.

3. Usage

「无情无义」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Evaluating character: Used to criticize or condemn a person who lacks compassion and moral principles.
  • Example:「他真是个无情无义的人，竟然抛弃了曾经帮助过他的朋友。」
    （He is truly a heartless and unprincipled person, abandoning a friend who once helped him.）
• Describing actions: Used to describe cruel and inhumane actions.
  • Example:「这种无情无义的行为，让人感到愤怒。」
    （Such heartless and unprincipled behavior makes people feel angry.）
• Criticism of social phenomena: Also used to criticize ruthless social phenomena, such as pursuing profit without regard for means.
  • Example:「在这个竞争激烈的社会，有些人为了利益变得无情无义。」
    （In this fiercely competitive society, some people become heartless and unprincipled for the sake of profit.）

Additional Examples:

1. 面对灾民的困境，他竟然无情无义地拒绝提供帮助。
   （Faced with the plight of disaster victims, he heartlessly and unprincipledly refused to offer help.）
2. 她对曾经帮助过她的人如此无情无义，让人难以理解。
   （It is hard to understand how she can be so heartless and unprincipled towards those who once helped her.）
3. 在商业竞争中，有些公司为了利润，采取无情无义的手段。
   （In business competition, some companies use heartless and unprincipled methods for profit.）
4. 他对待朋友的态度真是无情无义，让人心寒。
   （His attitude towards friends is truly heartless and unprincipled, chilling to the heart.）
5. 面对困难，他选择抛弃家人，这种行为真是无情无义。
   （Facing difficulties, he chose to abandon his family; such behavior is truly heartless and unprincipled.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Influence of Confucianism: Traditional Chinese values, especially Confucianism, emphasize virtues such as benevolence and righteousness. '无情无义' strongly condemns behaviors that violate these values.
• Importance of relationships: In Chinese society, emotional bonds and moral obligations in relationships are highly valued. People described as '无情无义' risk losing social trust and becoming isolated.
• Strong term of criticism: '无情无义' is a very strong term of reproach. Using it lightly can cause serious rifts in personal relationships, so caution is advised.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 冷酷无情 (lěng kù wú qíng): Cold and merciless.
  • 铁石心肠 (tiě shí xīn cháng): Having a heart as hard as iron and stone; cruel and lacking compassion.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 有情有义 (yǒu qíng yǒu yì): Affectionate and loyal; full of compassion and righteousness.
  • 情深义重 (qíng shēn yì zhòng): Deeply affectionate and highly respectful of moral duties.

6. Summary

'无情无义' is an idiom that strongly condemns cruel and inhumane attitudes or actions that violate traditional Chinese values of benevolence and righteousness. When using this term, it is important to understand its strong critical nuance and use it carefully in appropriate contexts. Additionally, understanding the importance of interpersonal relationships in Chinese culture will help deepen comprehension of this idiom.