无缘无故

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: wú yuán wú gù
• English Translation: Without cause or reason (for no reason at all)
• Idiom Composition: 「无」（No; without; to lack.）＋「缘」（Cause; reason; or predestined connection.）＋「无」（No; without; to lack.）＋「故」（Reason; cause; or an incident.）
• Meaning: To describe something happening or someone acting without any apparent cause, reason, or pretext. It often implies that an event is inexplicable, sudden, or unfair.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「无缘无故」 contains the following nuances:

• Complete absence of reason: Both 缘 (yuán) and 故 (gù) mean 'cause' or 'reason.' By negating both terms with 无 (wú), the idiom emphasizes that there is absolutely no trigger or justification for the occurrence.
• Nuance of injustice or bewilderment: Beyond simply stating a lack of cause, the idiom often carries the speaker's subjective feeling that a situation is 'unreasonable' or 'baffling.'

3. Usage

「无缘无故」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Complaining about unfair treatment: Used as a protest when one is scolded, attacked, or penalized despite having done nothing wrong.
  • Example:「我没做错什么，他却无缘无故地骂了我一顿。」
    （I didn't do anything wrong, yet he scolded me for no reason at all.)
• Inexplicable phenomena or behavior: Describes mysterious situations such as mechanical failures, sudden mood swings, or unexpected events where the cause is unknown.
  • Example:「电脑刚才还好好的，突然无缘无故地死机了。」
    （The computer was working fine just a moment ago, but then it suddenly froze without cause or reason.)
• Emphasizing causality in negative sentences: Used in the form 'will not... without reason' to argue that everything in the world must have a cause.
  • Example:「他不会无缘无故缺席会议，一定是出什么事了。」
    （He wouldn't miss the meeting without a good reason; something must have happened.)

Additional Examples:

1. 世界上没有无缘无故的爱，也没有无缘无故的恨。
   （In this world, there is no love without cause, nor is there hatred without reason.）
2. 小孩子哭闹总是有原因的，不会无缘无故。
   （There is always a reason when a child throws a tantrum; they don't do it for no reason at all.）
3. 你怎么无缘无故地叹气呢？
   （Why are you sighing out of the blue?）
4. 由于系统故障，我的文件无缘无故地消失了。
   （Due to a system error, my files disappeared without a trace or explanation.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• This idiom appears in the classic Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦), Chapter 44. The character Ping'er (平儿) uses it to lament being scolded unfairly, complaining that she was targeted **without cause or reason**.
• Chinese culture and philosophy place a heavy emphasis on causality (the idea that every effect has a cause). Consequently, an event that is 无缘无故 (wú yuán wú gù) is often viewed as unnatural or suspicious. This is why the phrase is frequently used in the negative to assert that 'nothing happens without a reason.'

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 平白无故 (píng bái wú gù): Nearly synonymous with 无缘无故 (wú yuán wú gù) but more colloquial; 平白 (píng bái) suggests something happening 'out of thin air' or 'for nothing.'
  • 莫名其妙 (mò míng qí miào): To be baffled or unable to explain the reason behind something; focuses more on the observer's confusion.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 事出有因 (shì chū yǒu yīn): Everything happens for a reason; there is a cause behind the incident.
  • 理所当然 (lǐ suǒ dāng rán): As a matter of course; naturally; it stands to reason.link

6. Summary

无缘无故 (wú yuán wú gù) is a common idiom used to describe events that occur without any clear justification. It is frequently used to express frustration over being treated unfairly or to describe sudden, mysterious changes in a situation. It also appears in philosophical contexts to emphasize that every effect must have a cause.