毫不留情
háobù liúqíng
In Chinese, "no mercy" is expressed as 毫不留情 (háobù liúqíng).
The phrase 毫不留情 is used to describe an action performed with complete severity and without any forgiveness or compassion. It is commonly used in both literature and daily speech to describe a person's harsh attitude or a decisive, uncompromising action.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 毫不 (not at all), 留 (to leave/retain) and 情 (sentiment or feeling). Literally, it means "not at all leave sentiment/emotion".
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this phrase as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, you should add the particle 地 after it, forming 毫不留情地 (mercilessly).
How do you pronounce it?
háobù liúqíng
Did you know?
- The word 情 in this phrase is the root for 爱情 (romantic love) and 心情 (mood), showing that 'mercy' in Chinese is linguistically linked to general emotional affection.
- While 毫不留情 is general, the phrase 不留情面 is used specifically when someone ignores another person's social 'face' or reputation to be harsh.
- In Chinese wuxia (martial arts) literature, 毫不留情 is frequently used to describe the 'cold-blooded' nature of an assassin or a master who views hesitation as a fatal weakness.
Examples in context
- 在这场辩论中，我们必须表现得无情，毫不留情地揭露事实真相。In this debate, we must act mercilessly and expose the truth without any leniency.
- 在战争中，我们必须对敌人毫不留情，以确保胜利。In war, we must show no mercy to the enemy in order to secure victory.
- 这位教练对队员毫不手软，要求他们全力以赴。This coach shows no mercy to the players and demands their utmost efforts.
- 他在比赛中毫不留情地进攻。Tā zài bǐsài zhōng háobù liúqíng de jìngōng.He attacked without mercy during the match.
- 对手毫不留情地批评了我的错误。Duìshǒu háobù liúqíng de pīpíng le wǒ de cuòwù.The opponent criticized my mistakes without any mercy.
- 公司对违反规定的员工毫不留情。Gōngsī duì wéifǎn guīdìng de yuángōng háobù liúqíng.The company shows no mercy to employees who violate the rules.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a competitive video game.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那个玩家玩得很厉害吗？Nàge wánjiā wán de hěn lìhai ma?Is that player very good?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是的，他玩得毫不留情。Shì de, tā wán de háobù liúqíng.Yes, he plays without any mercy.
- 志强 Zhiqiang难怪你输得很惨。Nánguài nǐ shū de hěn cǎn.No wonder you lost so badly.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen下次我一定会赢回来的。Xià cì wǒ yīdìng huì yíng huílái de.I will definitely win next time.
