疏不间亲 — “The distant do not interfere with the close”
疏不间亲 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “it is inappropriate for those who are not intimately related to interfere in the affairs of close family members or friends; distant relations should not meddle in close kin's matters”. Literally, “The distant do not interfere with the close”.
疏不间亲 Pronunciation and Pinyin
疏不间亲 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 疏不间亲
Origin and Story of 疏不间亲
During the Warring States period, Duke Wen of Wei wished to select a suitable prime minister. He summoned Li Ke, a diviner, to the palace to discuss whether Zhai Huang or Wei Chengzi would be a better choice, asking for his insights and advice.
Li Ke, understanding the Duke's underlying motive, skillfully avoided giving a direct opinion. He replied, "I have heard that the humble do not conspire against the noble, and the distant do not interfere with the close. As an outsider, it would be improper for me to comment on such a matter."
Idioms Related to 疏不间亲
Synonyms of 疏不间亲
More idioms starting with 疏
- shū疏qīn亲màn慢yǒu友alienate relatives and neglect friends
- shū疏dàng宕bù不jū拘unrestrained and unconventional
- shū疏hu忽dà大yì意negligent and careless
- shū疏hū忽zhí职shǒu守neglect one's duties
- shū疏yōng慵yú愚dùn钝lazy and dull-witted
- shū疏shuǐ水dān箪piáo瓢Content with a simple, frugal life
- shū疏shū疏lǎng朗lǎng朗sparse and clear
- shū疏ér而bù不lòu漏Justice is slow but sure
- shū疏móu谋shǎo少lüè略poor at planning and strategy
- shū疏cái财zhàng仗yì义generous with wealth for justice
- shū疏cái财shàng尚qì气generous and chivalrous
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Open the tool →Questions about 疏不间亲
What does 疏不间亲 mean?
疏不间亲 (shū bù jiàn qīn) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “it is inappropriate for those who are not intimately related to interfere in the affairs of close family members or friends; distant relations should not meddle in close kin's matters”.
How do you pronounce 疏不间亲?
疏不间亲 is pronounced shū bù jiàn qīn in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 疏不间亲 literally mean?
Literally, 疏不间亲 means “the distant do not interfere with the close”. It is used to mean “it is inappropriate for those who are not intimately related to interfere in the affairs of close family members or friends; distant relations should not meddle in close kin's matters”.
Where does 疏不间亲 come from?
疏不间亲 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 疏不间亲?
间：离间。关系疏远者不参与关系亲近者的事。