不识时务 — “Not know current affairs or prevailing trends”
不识时务 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be ignorant of current affairs, prevailing trends, or the realities of a situation; to lack tact or common sense in social interactions and fail to adapt to changing circumstances”. Literally, “not know current affairs or prevailing trends”.
不识时务 Pronunciation and Pinyin
不识时务 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 不识时务
Origin and Story of 不识时务
During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Kong Rong, a renowned scholar, was arrogant about his talent and often satirized and opposed Cao Cao. He wrote letters mocking Cao Cao's campaigns against the Wuhuan people and his pacification of border rebellions. He also penned essays opposing Cao Cao's proposed lifestyle of abstinence from alcohol and frugality.
Cao Cao was greatly annoyed but, due to Kong Rong's considerable reputation, found it inconvenient to punish him directly.
Later, when Cao Cao became the Grand General and Chancellor to Emperor Xian, effectively controlling the central government, Kong Rong was discontent with Cao Cao's usurpation of power and opposed him in every way possible.
Eventually, Cao Cao used a pretext to execute Kong Rong and his entire family.
When Xun Yue of the Eastern Han Dynasty compiled "Han Ji" (Records of the Han), he described Kong Rong's actions as 'bù shí shí wù' (ignorant of the times).
Idioms Related to 不识时务
Synonyms of 不识时务
Antonyms of 不识时务
More idioms starting with 不
- bù不yī一ér而zú足numerous and varied, impossible to list all
- bù不sān三bù不sì四improper or disreputable
- bù不shàng上bù不xià下stuck in an awkward position
- bù不shàng上bù不luò落in an awkward or embarrassing situation
- bù不shì世zhī之yè业unparalleled achievements
- bù不shì世zhī之chóu仇unrivaled enmity
- bù不shì世zhī之gōng功unparalleled achievement
- bù不shì世zhī之lüè略unparalleled strategy
- bù不sàng丧bǐ匕chàng鬯peace and order, rituals undisturbed
- bù不fēng丰bù不jiǎn俭neither extravagant nor frugal
- bù不fēng丰bù不shā杀neither extravagant nor frugal
- bù不wèi为wǔ五dǒu斗mǐ米zhé折yāo腰Refuse to compromise integrity for meager gain
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Open the tool →Questions about 不识时务
What does 不识时务 mean?
不识时务 (bù shí shí wù) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be ignorant of current affairs, prevailing trends, or the realities of a situation; to lack tact or common sense in social interactions and fail to adapt to changing circumstances”.
How do you pronounce 不识时务?
不识时务 is pronounced bù shí shí wù in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 不识时务 literally mean?
Literally, 不识时务 means “not know current affairs or prevailing trends”. It is used to mean “to be ignorant of current affairs, prevailing trends, or the realities of a situation; to lack tact or common sense in social interactions and fail to adapt to changing circumstances”.
Where does 不识时务 come from?
不识时务 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 不识时务?
时务：当前的形势和潮流。指不认识当前重要的事态和时代的潮流。现也指待人接物不知趣。