无缘无故
无缘无故 (wú yuán wú gù) literally means “no connection no reason” and expresses “completely without reason or provocation”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: wu yuan wu gu, wu yuan wu gu,无缘无故 meaning, 无缘无故 in english
Completely without reason or provocation
Pronunciation: wú yuán wú gù Literal meaning: No connection no reason
Origin & Usage
Buddhist concepts of karmic relationships introduced this phrase describing actions having neither connection (无缘) nor cause (无故). Tang Dynasty writers brought it beyond religious contexts into everyday use. Song Dynasty legal documents adopted it to describe actions lacking apparent motivation. The double negation - eliminating both relationship and rational bases - creates a comprehensive sense of groundlessness that remains useful in modern legal and interpersonal contexts.
When to Use
Situation: He was puzzled when the stranger suddenly approached him with accusations
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 无缘无故 mean in English?
无缘无故 (wú yuán wú gù) literally translates to “No connection no reason” and is used to express “Completely without reason or provocation”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 无缘无故 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving completely without reason or provocation.
What is the pinyin for 无缘无故?
The pinyin pronunciation for 无缘无故 is “wú yuán wú gù”.