见死不救 jiàn sǐ bù jiù to stand idly by while someone dies

Explanation

看见别人遇到危险或困难而不去救援,形容冷漠无情,缺乏同情心。

To see someone in danger or difficulty and not help; describes indifference and lack of compassion.

Origin Story

战国时期,有个大夫叫田忌,他家境殷实,对人也很慷慨,乐善好施。一次,田忌外出办事,路过一个村庄,看见一个农夫家的房子着火了,火势凶猛,眼看就要烧到农夫的家人。田忌本可以出手相救,但想到如果自己救火,可能会弄脏自己的衣服,而且可能会耽误自己的行程,便视而不见,径直走了。结果,农夫一家都葬身火海。这件事传开后,人们都谴责田忌见死不救,不顾人命。田忌虽然富有,却失去了人们的尊重和敬仰。

zhàn guó shí qī, yǒu gè dà fū jiào tián jì, tā jiā jìng yīn shí, duì rén yě hěn kāng kǎi, lè shàn hǎo shī. yī cì, tián jì wài chū bàn shì, lù guò yīgè cūn zhuāng, kàn jiàn yīgè nóng fū jiā de fáng zi zhe huǒ le, huǒ shì xiōng měng, yǎn kàn jiù yào shāo dào nóng fū de jiā rén. tián jì běn kě yǐ chū shǒu xiāng jiù, dàn xiǎng dào rú guǒ zì jǐ jiù huǒ, kě néng huì nòng zāng zì jǐ de yī fu, ér qiě kě néng huì dān wù zì jǐ de xíng chéng, biàn shì ér bù jiàn, jìng zhí zǒu le. jié guǒ, nóng fū yī jiā dōu zàng shēn huǒ hǎi. zhè jiàn shì chuán kāi hòu, rén men dōu qiǎn zé tián jì jiàn sǐ bù jiù, bù gù rén mìng. tián jì suī rán fù yǒu, què shī qù le rén men de zūn zhòng hé jìng yǎng.

During the Warring States period, there was a nobleman named Tian Ji who was wealthy and generous, always ready to help others. Once, while traveling, he came across a village where a farmer's house was on fire. The fire was raging, and it was about to engulf the farmer's family. Tian Ji could have helped but thought that putting out the fire might dirty his clothes and delay his journey. So he ignored it and went on his way. As a result, the entire farmer's family perished in the fire. This story spread, and people condemned Tian Ji for his indifference and lack of compassion.

Usage

多用于谴责那些对危难者见死不救的行为,形容冷漠无情。

duō yòng yú qiǎn zé nà xiē duì wēi nàn zhě jiàn sǐ bù jiù de xíng wéi, xíng róng lěng mò wú qíng

Often used to condemn those who stand by and watch others suffer, describing coldness and indifference.

Examples

  • 面对朋友的危难,他却见死不救,令人寒心。

    miàn duì péng you de wēi nàn, tā què jiàn sǐ bù jiù, lìng rén hán xīn

    It's chilling to see him stand by and watch his friend suffer.

  • 在危急时刻,见死不救的行为是不可原谅的。

    zài wēi jí shí kè, jiàn sǐ bù jiù de xíng wéi shì bù kě yuán liàng de

    It is unforgivable to stand by and watch someone die when one could have helped them.