六亲不认 liù qīn bù rèn Not recognize one's own family

Explanation

六亲不认，指对亲属都不顾，不通人情，形容人冷酷无情，毫无人性。

This idiom describes a person who is ruthless and does not care about their own family members. It is used to describe someone as cold-blooded and without compassion.

Origin Story

在古代的某个小村庄里，住着一位名叫张三的农民。张三家中世代务农，勤勤恳恳，生活虽不富裕，却也算过得去。然而，他却有一个致命的弱点，那就是六亲不认。张三的父亲年老体弱，常年卧病在床，需要人照顾。然而，张三却无动于衷，任由父亲自生自灭，甚至连一口水都不肯给他喝。张三的母亲也病重，需要人帮忙，他却置之不理，任由母亲独自一人受苦。张三的兄弟姐妹也曾向他求助，但都被他拒绝了。张三的六亲都认为他冷酷无情，六亲不认，对他敬而远之。后来，张三家境贫困，无依无靠，最终只能靠乡亲们接济才能维持生活。

zài gǔ dài de mǒu gè xiǎo cūn zhuāng lǐ, zhù zhe yī wèi míng jiào zhāng sān de nóng mín. zhāng sān jiā zhōng shì dài wù nóng, qín qín kěn kěn, shēng huó suī bù fù yù, què yě suàn guò de qù. rán ér, tā què yǒu yī gè zhì mìng de ruò diǎn, jiù shì liù qīn bù rèn. zhāng sān de fù qīn nián lǎo tǐ ruò, cháng nián wò bìng zài chuáng, xū yào rén zhào gù. rán ér, zhāng sān què wú dòng yú zhōng, rèn yóu fù qīn zì shēng zì miè, shèn zhì lián yī kǒu shuǐ dōu bù kěn gěi tā hē. zhāng sān de mǔ qīn yě bìng zhòng, xū yào rén bāng máng, tā què zhì zhī bù lǐ, rèn yóu mǔ qīn dú zì yī rén shòu kǔ. zhāng sān de xiōng dì jiě mèi yě céng xiàng tā qiú zhù, dàn dōu bèi tā jù jué le. zhāng sān de liù qīn dōu rèn wéi tā lěng kù wú qíng, liù qīn bù rèn, duì tā jìng ér yuǎn zhī. hòu lái, zhāng sān jiā jìng pín kùn, wú yī wú kào, zuì zhōng zhǐ néng kào xiāng qīn men jiē jì cái néng wéichí shēng huó.

In an ancient village, there lived a farmer named Zhang San. Zhang San's family had been farming for generations, working diligently and their life was not rich, but they could make ends meet. However, he had a fatal flaw, that is, he did not recognize his family. Zhang San's father was old and weak, often lying in bed, and he needed care. However, Zhang San was indifferent and let his father fend for himself, he did not even give him a sip of water. Zhang San's mother was also seriously ill and needed help, but he ignored her and let her suffer alone. Zhang San's brothers and sisters had also asked him for help, but he refused. Zhang San's relatives believed he was cold-blooded and heartless, and they kept him at arm's length. Later, Zhang San's family was impoverished and had no one to rely on, and eventually he could only survive on the help of villagers.

Usage

这个成语通常用来形容一个人为了达到自己的目的，不顾亲情，不讲道义，甚至对亲人朋友都狠心绝情。

zhè ge chéng yǔ tóng cháng yòng lái xíng róng yī gè rén wèile dáchéng zìjǐ de mù dì, bù gù qīn qíng, bù jiǎng dào yì, shèn zhì duì qīn rén péng you dōu hěn xīn jué qíng.

This idiom is commonly used to describe someone who, in order to achieve their own goals, ignores family ties, disregards morality, and even shows ruthlessness towards family and friends.

Examples

• 他为了升官发财，六亲不认，真是令人不齿。

  tā wèile shēng guān fā cái, liù qīn bù rèn, zhēnshi lìng rén bù chǐ.

  He is a man who will do anything for money and power, even abandoning his own family. It's really despicable.

• 他为了钱财六亲不认，最后什么都没有得到，真是得不偿失。

  tā wèile qián cái liù qīn bù rèn, zuìhòu shénme dōu méiyǒu dédào, zhēnshi dé bù cháng shī.

  He did anything for money and power, even abandoning his own family. In the end, he got nothing, which was a losing proposition.

• 面对困难，他六亲不认，坚持自己的想法。

  miàn duì kùnnan, tā liù qīn bù rèn, jiānchí zìjǐ de xiǎngfǎ.

  In the face of difficulties, he was resolute in his own ideas, even though his family needed him.

• 我宁可六亲不认，也要维护正义。

  wǒ nìng kě liù qīn bù rèn, yě yào wéihù zhèngyì.

  I'd rather be alone than betray justice.

Related Idioms

• 无情无义

• 冷酷无情

Opposite Idioms

• 仁义道德

• 亲仁善邻