无足轻重

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: wú zú qīng zhòng
• English Translation: Insignificant, trivial, unimportant
• Idiom Composition: 「无」（None, without）＋「足」（Enough, sufficient, worthy）＋「轻」（Light）＋「重」（Heavy, important）
• Meaning: Indicates something that lacks value or influence and is not important enough to be discussed or considered.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「无足轻重」 contains the following nuances:

• Lack of importance: Expresses that a thing or person is not important enough to affect the whole.
• Low value: Indicates low value, being disregarded, or so trivial that it can be ignored.
• Lack of influence: Means having weak influence, so that its presence or absence does not affect the majority.

3. Usage

「无足轻重」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Evaluating matters: Used to express that the importance or value of something is low.
  • Example:「这个小错误无足轻重，不会影响整个计划的实施。」
    （This small mistake is insignificant and will not affect the implementation of the entire plan.）
• Evaluating a person: Used to indicate that a person's status, role, or opinion is not important.
  • Example:「在这个重要的决策中，你的意见无足轻重，我们还是听从专家的意见吧。」
    （In this important decision, your opinion is insignificant; we should follow the experts' advice.）
• Describing a situation: Used to explain that an event or situation does not have a significant impact on the whole.
  • Example:「这个小插曲无足轻重，很快就被大家忘记了。」
    （This minor incident was trivial and was soon forgotten by everyone.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他在这个项目中的作用无足轻重，没有他项目也能顺利进行。
   （His role in this project is insignificant; the project can proceed smoothly without him.）
2. 虽然他的观点无足轻重，但我们还是应该尊重每个人发言的权利。
   （Although his viewpoint is unimportant, we should still respect everyone's right to speak.）
3. 在历史的长河中，个人的力量往往显得无足轻重。
   （In the long course of history, individual power often seems insignificant.）
4. 相比于整个宇宙的浩瀚，地球上的这些争端显得无足轻重。
   （Compared to the vast universe, these disputes on Earth seem trivial.）
5. 不要为这些无足轻重的小事烦恼，把精力放在更重要的事情上。
   （Don't worry about these insignificant trivial matters; focus your energy on more important things.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• '无足轻重' is a somewhat formal expression. In daily conversation, phrases like 'not important' or 'no big deal' are more commonly used.
• When used to describe a person, it can be considered disrespectful as it belittles the individual, so caution is advised.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 无关紧要 (wú guān jǐn yào): Not important, of little relevance.
  • 微不足道 (wēi bù zú dào): Insignificant, negligible.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 举足轻重 (jǔ zú qīng zhòng): Holding an important position, whose every move greatly influences the whole.
  • 至关重要 (zhì guān zhòng yào): Extremely important, crucial.

6. Summary

'无足轻重' is an idiom that expresses the low importance, value, or influence of a thing or person. It is a formal expression and can be considered rude when used about people, so it should be used carefully depending on the context and relationship.