Chinese Idiom: 视若无睹 (Shi Ruo Wu Du)
English Translation: Regard something as if it were not seen
pīn yīn: shì ruò wú dǔ
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where someone is aware of something but behaves as if they are not, showing indifference or lack of concern.
Historical Source: Ying Ke Mu Shi Yu Ren Shu (《应科目时与人书》) by Han Yu.
Idiom Story:
This idiom originates from a letter written by Han Yu during the Tang Dynasty in 793 AD when he participated in the Bó Xué Hóng Cí Kē (博学鸿词科) examination. In the letter addressed to Wei She, Han Yu aimed to convey his talents and seek support for his academic endeavors, as he found himself in a difficult position due to a lack of recommendations.
Instead of explicitly stating his predicament, Han Yu referenced a mythical creature known for its unusual scales and armor, which resided by the shores of the Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) and the Yangtze River. This creature was said to have the ability to stir up winds and waves if it had access to water. However, without water, it could only suffer in the dry mud.
Han Yu used this allegory to illustrate how the creature was unable to access water on its own and required the help of others to be moved to a suitable place. Yet, despite its uniqueness, the creature would not humbly seek assistance from anyone. Consequently, those who had the power to help, when encountering it, would often ignore it as if they had not seen it at all.
The relevant passage reads:
“是以有力者遇之，熟视之若无睹也。”
(Therefore, those with the power to help, when they come across it, tend to regard it as if they had not seen it.)
This statement captures the essence of the idiom, emphasizing that due to its pride and unwillingness to ask for help, the creature was ultimately left to its fate, whether it lived or died became uncertain.
Over time, the phrase “熟视之若无睹” was simplified and evolved into the idiom “视若无睹,” symbolizing the indifferent attitude of individuals who see but choose to ignore significant matters or issues around them.
