Chinese word

爱理不理

Pronunciation

Pinyinài lǐ bù lǐ

Meaning

  • idiombe indifferent to

Example

她对我爱理不理，连话都不说。tā duì wǒ ài lǐ bù lǐ lián huà dōu bù shuō

She is indifferent to me and does not even say a word.

Illustration for 爱理不理 (be indifferent to)

More examples

他爱理不理地回答了我的问题。tā ài lǐ bù lǐ dì huí dá le wǒ de wèn tí

He answered my question indifferently.

Core concept

Attention flickers between acknowledgment and withdrawal, leaving the other person feeling unimportant.

Common phrases

  • 对他爱理不理duì tā ài lǐ bù lǐ

    be indifferent to him

  • 爱理不理的态度ài lǐ bù lǐ de tài dù

    an indifferent attitude

  • 爱理不理地回答ài lǐ bù lǐ dì huí dá

    answer indifferently

Similar words

不理不睬bù lǐ bù cǎi: Refusing to acknowledge someone and remaining completely unresponsive.
不以为意bù yǐ wéi yì: Not taking an event or remark seriously because it seems unimportant.
冷酷无情lěng kù wú qíng: Showing no feeling or care for others and pushing them away coldly.

Definition in Chinese

用来描写对别人既不亲近也不彻底无视，既有回应又常显冷淡，从而给人一种不在意的感觉。yòng lái miáo xiě duì bié rén jì bù qīn jìn yě bú chè dǐ wú shì jì yǒu huí yìng yòu cháng xiǎn lěng dàn cóng ér gěi rén yì zhǒng bú zài yì de gǎn jué

Word origin

爱理不理 (àilǐbùlǐ, "sometimes respond, sometimes not") combines opposite response patterns, making a mixed and cool manner vivid.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, this idiom often describes noticeably cool treatment, so it can sound critical rather than neutral when used about someone.

Other meanings

  • ignoreidiom

Opposites

  • 热情相待rè qíng xiāng dàitreat warmlyidiom
  • 殷勤相待yīn qín xiāng dàitreat courteouslyidiom

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