Chinese Idiom: 旁若无人 (Pang Ruo Wu Ren)
English Translation: As if there were no one around
pīn yīn: páng ruò wú rén
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a demeanor of arrogance or self-importance, often implying that someone acts as if they are the only one that matters, disregarding the presence of others.
Historical Source: Left Si’s Ode to History (《咏史·荆轲饮燕市》)
Idiom Story:
Zuo Si, courtesy name Taichong, was a literary figure from Linzi (present-day Linzi District of Zibo City, Shandong Province) during the early Jin Dynasty. At that time, the aristocracy enjoyed numerous privileges and dominated the paths to power, leaving many talented individuals unable to serve the state due to their lower social status.
Zuo Si was deeply dissatisfied with the reality that those in power valued lineage over talent, suppressing capable individuals. Using historical allusions to express his discontent, he composed the poem Ode to History, which serves as a critique of contemporary society.
The poem opens with four lines:
荆轲饮燕市，酒酣气益震。
哀歌和渐离，谓若旁无人。
In these lines, the famed warrior Jing Ke and the musician Gao Jianli are depicted drinking in the market of the Yan capital, growing increasingly lively as they indulge in wine. While Gao plays his instrument, Jing Ke alternates between singing mournful and joyful tunes, behaving as if no one else exists around them.
From the phrase “谓若旁无人” (acting as if there were no one beside them), the idiom “旁若无人” evolved, capturing the essence of someone who is self-absorbed and dismissive of those around them.
