六亲不认

六親不認

liùqīn-bùrèn

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

他执法严明，六亲不认。

Tā zhífǎ yán míng, liùqīnbùrèn.

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

一谈到钱，他就六亲不认。

Yì tándào qián, tā jiù liùqīnbùrèn.

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

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