wúchǐ: 无耻 - Shameless, Brazen, Unscrupulous

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• Summary: Learn the meaning of 无耻 (wúchǐ), a powerful Chinese adjective used to describe someone who is “shameless,” “brazen,” or “unscrupulous.” This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance related to “face” (面子), and practical usage in modern China. Discover why wúchǐ is more than just a simple translation of “shameless” and is one of the strongest insults you can use to condemn someone's lack of moral character.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wúchǐ
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: Lacking a sense of shame; brazen, shameless, or unscrupulous.
• In a Nutshell: 无耻 (wúchǐ) is a very strong and serious term used to condemn someone's character. It's not just for someone who is a little embarrassed or awkward; it describes a person who fundamentally lacks a moral compass and disregards social decency. It implies they know their actions are wrong but feel absolutely no shame about them. Calling someone 无耻 is a severe accusation of moral bankruptcy.

• 无 (wú): This character means “without,” “lacking,” “no,” or “nothing.” Think of it as a negating prefix.
• 耻 (chǐ): This character means “shame” or “disgrace.” It's composed of two parts: 耳 (ěr) on the left, which means “ear,” and 心 (xīn) on the bottom, which means “heart.” You can imagine it as “hearing something with your ear that makes your heart feel shame.”
• Together, 无 (wú) + 耻 (chǐ) literally and powerfully translates to “without shame.”

The weight of 无耻 (wúchǐ) is deeply rooted in Chinese cultural values, particularly the concept of 面子 (miànzi), or “face,” which represents a person's reputation, dignity, and social standing. To be 无耻 is to act in a way that completely disregards one's own 面子 and the social harmony it maintains. In traditional Confucian thought, a sense of shame (耻) was considered one of the cornerstones of a moral person. Mencius, a famous Confucian philosopher, stated that “a sense of shame is the beginning of righteousness” (羞恶之心，义之端也). Therefore, to be 无耻 (without shame) is to be seen as uncivilized, unrighteous, and outside the bounds of acceptable human behavior. Comparison to “Shameless”: While “shameless” is the closest English equivalent, it doesn't always carry the same heavy, moralistic condemnation as 无耻. In English, you can say “a shameless plug for my new book” or “she's a shameless flirt” with a neutral or even playful connotation. 无耻, however, is almost never playful. It is a direct and serious attack on a person's fundamental character. Using it in a lighthearted context where you might use “shameless” in English would be a significant cultural and linguistic mistake.

无耻 is a potent word used in situations involving serious moral transgressions. It's common in:

• Arguments and Accusations: It is often hurled at someone during a heated argument to express utter contempt for their actions.
• Online Commentary: Netizens frequently use 无耻 to condemn public figures, companies, or other users for corruption, plagiarism, spreading lies, or other unethical behavior.
• Discussing Immorality: It's used to describe actions like cheating on a partner, betraying a friend, or taking advantage of the weak. For example, a company that sells tainted products might be described as 无耻.

Because it is so strong, it is rarely used in polite or professional settings unless the goal is to create a major confrontation. Among very close friends, it might be used hyperbolically, but this is an exception.

• Example 1:
  • 他竟然偷了自己最好朋友的钱，真是太无耻了！
  • Pinyin: Tā jìngrán tōu le zìjǐ zuì hǎo péngyǒu de qián, zhēnshi tài wúchǐ le!
  • English: He actually stole his own best friend's money, that's just so shameless!
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses shock and moral outrage. 无耻 is used to condemn the severe betrayal of trust.
• Example 2:
  • 这个政客对他的谎言毫无悔意，他的无耻让民众感到愤怒。
  • Pinyin: Zhège zhèngkè duì tā de huǎngyán háo wú huǐyì, tā de wúchǐ ràng mínzhòng gǎndào fènnù.
  • English: This politician shows no remorse for his lies; his brazenness makes the public furious.
  • Analysis: Here, 无耻 is used as a noun (“brazenness”) to describe the quality of being completely without shame in the face of public scrutiny.
• Example 3:
  • 你怎么能剽窃我的论文还说是你自己的？你这个无耻的家伙！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zěnme néng piāoqiè wǒ de lùnwén hái shuō shì nǐ zìjǐ de? Nǐ zhège wúchǐ de jiāhuo!
  • English: How could you plagiarize my thesis and claim it's your own? You shameless person!
  • Analysis: A direct and angry accusation. “无耻的家伙” (wúchǐ de jiāhuo) is a common way to call someone a “shameless person” or “scoundrel.”
• Example 4:
  • 那家公司为了利润，竟然使用劣质材料，这种行为非常无耻。
  • Pinyin: Nà jiā gōngsī wèile lìrùn, jìngrán shǐyòng lièzhì cáiliào, zhè zhǒng xíngwéi fēicháng wúchǐ.
  • English: That company actually used inferior materials for profit; this kind of behavior is extremely unscrupulous.
  • Analysis: This describes a corporate action as 无耻, highlighting the unethical and irresponsible nature of prioritizing profit over safety.
• Example 5:
  • 在大家排队的时候，他若无其事地插了进来，真是无耻到了极点。
  • Pinyin: Zài dàjiā páiduì de shíhou, tā ruòwúqíshì de chā le jìnlái, zhēnshi wúchǐ dào le jídiǎn.
  • English: While everyone was queuing, he cut in line as if nothing happened. He's shameless to the extreme.
  • Analysis: “无耻到了极点” (wúchǐ dào le jídiǎn) is a common pattern meaning “shameless to the extreme point,” used to emphasize complete disregard for basic social etiquette.
• Example 6:
  • 他欠我钱不还，还到处说我小气。我从没见过这么无耻的人。
  • Pinyin: Tā qiàn wǒ qián bù huán, hái dàochù shuō wǒ xiǎoqì. Wǒ cóngméi jiànguò zhème wúchǐ de rén.
  • English: He owes me money and won't pay it back, and on top of that, he's telling everyone I'm stingy. I've never met such a shameless person.
  • Analysis: This example shows someone not only doing something wrong but twisting the narrative to blame the victim—a classic example of 无耻 behavior.
• Example 7:
  • 面对确凿的证据，他依然否认一切，这种无耻的态度让法官很生气。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì quèzuò de zhèngjù, tā yīrán fǒurèn yīqiè, zhè zhǒng wúchǐ de tàidù ràng fǎguān hěn shēngqì.
  • English: Faced with conclusive evidence, he still denied everything. This brazen attitude made the judge very angry.
  • Analysis: 无耻 describes the attitude of someone who blatantly lies even when caught red-handed.
• Example 8:
  • 你简直无耻！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ jiǎnzhí wúchǐ!
  • English: You are simply shameless!
  • Analysis: A short, powerful, and very direct insult. “简直” (jiǎnzhí - simply, virtually) amplifies the accusation. Use with extreme caution.
• Example 9:
  • 把别人的功劳据为己有是他惯用的无耻伎俩。
  • Pinyin: Bǎ biérén de gōngláo jùwéijǐyǒu shì tā guànyòng de wúchǐ jìliǎng.
  • English: Taking credit for others' work is his usual unscrupulous trick.
  • Analysis: Here, 无耻 is used to modify “伎俩” (jìliǎng - trick, scheme), describing the method itself as being morally bankrupt.
• Example 10:
  • 某些网红为了博眼球，不惜做出各种无耻的炒作。
  • Pinyin: Mǒuxiē wǎnghóng wèile bó yǎnqiú, bùxī zuòchū gèzhǒng wúchǐ de chǎozuò.
  • English: Some internet celebrities, in order to get attention, will stoop to all kinds of shameless publicity stunts.
  • Analysis: This applies the concept to the modern context of social media, where people perform outrageous acts (“炒作” - hype, stunts) without shame for fame.

• Don't Use it Lightly: The biggest mistake a learner can make is to underestimate the severity of 无耻. It is a serious insult. Using it in a situation that just calls for “bold” or “daring” would be offensive and confusing.
• False Friend Alert: “Shameless” vs. 无耻:

In English, “shameless” can be neutral or even positive (e.g., “shameless self-promotion”). 无耻 is never positive. It is a 100% negative condemnation.

• Incorrect Usage: `他无耻地在大家面前展示他的肌肉，他很自信。(Tā wúchǐ de zài dàjiā miànqián zhǎnshì tā de jīròu, tā hěn zìxìn.)` - This translates to “He shamelessly showed his muscles to everyone, he's very confident.”
• Why it's wrong: This sentence creates a contradiction. 无耻 implies a morally reprehensible act, while the context suggests mere confidence or showing off. A native speaker would be shocked. A better word would be `大方地 (dàfāng de - generously, confidently)` or not using any adverb at all.
• 无耻 vs. 不要脸 (bù yào liǎn):

These two are very similar. 无耻 is slightly more formal and literary, while 不要脸 (bù yào liǎn) (lit: “don't want face”) is more colloquial and direct. Both are very strong insults.

• 不要脸 (bù yào liǎn) - A more colloquial synonym. It literally means “to not want face,” directly attacking a person's sense of dignity.
• 厚脸皮 (hòu liǎnpí) - “Thick-skinned.” Describes someone who is impervious to criticism or embarrassment, a common characteristic of a 无耻 person.
• 卑鄙 (bēibǐ) - Despicable, contemptible. Overlaps with 无耻 but focuses more on the meanness and lowliness of a person's actions or character.
• 下流 (xiàliú) - Lewd, obscene, vulgar. Refers to a specific type of 无耻 behavior, usually of a sexual or crude nature.
• 可耻 (kěchǐ) - Shameful, disgraceful. Describes an *action or situation* that should cause shame. In contrast, 无耻 describes the *person* who lacks the ability to feel that shame.
• 廉耻 (liánchǐ) - Integrity and a sense of shame. A core traditional virtue and the direct conceptual opposite of being 无耻.
• 面子 (miànzi) - The crucial cultural concept of “face,” social standing, and dignity. A 无耻 person acts with complete disregard for 面子.
• 君子 (jūnzǐ) - The Confucian ideal of a noble person or gentleman, who embodies virtues like integrity and would never be 无耻.