六亲不认

六親不認
liùqīnbùrèn
idiom #38,371

Meanings

  1. 1 to disown all one's relatives (idiom)
  2. 2 showing no regard even for family
  3. 3 ruthless / not making allowances for kin

Examples

Tā zhífǎ yánmíng, liùqīnbùrèn.
He enforces the law strictly, showing no favor even to relatives.
Yì tán dào qián, tā jiù liùqīnbùrèn.
The moment money is mentioned, he disowns even his own kin.

Tips

culture
(liùqīn, 'six kin') is a Confucian set of close relationships — typically father, mother, elder brother, younger brother, wife, son. To 'not recognize the six kin' is to set aside every family obligation, for better (impartial justice) or worse (cold-bloodedness).
usage
Can be praise (an incorruptible official 执法六亲不认) or condemnation (a heartless person 翻脸六亲不认). Context decides.

Stroke Order

liù
qīn
rèn