六亲不认

六親不認

liùqīn-búrèn

idiom #38,371

Meanings

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

Characters

to recognize / acknowledge

Examples

HSK 4

一谈到钱，他就六亲不认。

Yì tándào qián, tā jiù liùqīnbúrèn.

The moment money is mentioned, he disowns even his own kin.

HSK 7-9

他执法严明，六亲不认。

Tā zhífǎ yán míng, liùqīnbúrèn.

He enforces the law strictly, showing no favor even to relatives.

Tips

culture

六亲 ('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

六 liù

亲 qīn

不 bù

认 rèn