Chinese word

无动于衷

Pronunciation

Pinyinwú dòng yú zhōng

Meaning

  • idiomindifferent

Example

他对这件事无动于衷。tā duì zhè jiàn shì wú dòng yú zhōng

He is indifferent to this matter.

Illustration for 无动于衷 (indifferent)

More examples

老板的批评让他无动于衷，没有反应。láo bǎn de pī píng ràng tā wú dòng yú zhōng méi yǒu fǎn yìng

His boss's criticism left him indifferent, and he did not react.

Core concept

An inner heart stays still while events or other people's feelings reach it.

Common phrases

  • 对工作上的问题无动于衷duì gōng zuò shàng de wèn tí wú dòng yú zhōng

    indifferent to work-related problems

  • 对朋友的感受无动于衷duì péng yǒu de gǎn shòu wú dòng yú zhōng

    indifferent to friends' feelings

  • 对批评无动于衷duì pī píng wú dòng yú zhōng

    indifferent to criticism

Similar words

漠不关心mò bù guān xīn: Having no interest or concern for a matter or for other people.
冷眼旁观léng yǎn páng guān: Watching from the sidelines in a detached way instead of taking part.
不以为意bù yǐ wéi yì: Not considering something important enough to worry about.

Definition in Chinese

对事情或他人的感情没有反应或关心，内心不为所动。duì shì qíng huò tā rén de gǎn qíng méi yǒu fǎn yìng huò guān xīn nèi xīn bú wèi suǒ dòng

Word origin

无动于衷 (wúdòngyúzhōng, "unmoved inside") combines 无 (wú, "not") + 动 (dòng, "move") + 于 (yú, "toward") + 衷 (zhōng, "inner heart"), giving the image of an inner heart that does not move.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this idiom sounds more formal than plain spoken alternatives, so it fits news, writing, and serious comments better than casual chat.

Other meanings

  • coldidiom

Word lists with this word