# 冥顽不灵

míng wán bù líng

Remain obstinately unreceptive

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Dull and stubborn without understanding

**Traditional Chinese:** 冥頑不靈

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Criticize refusal to heed reason or correction.

Harsh; difference of opinion is not enough.

## Understanding the expression

The expression presents stubbornness as so entrenched that explanation cannot get through. It usually concerns someone who rejects clear evidence or repeated warnings. Its tone is strongly insulting, so it should not be applied simply because a person disagrees or learns slowly. A specific example of ignored information is more informative than the label alone. Sometimes what appears to be obstinacy also reflects fear, mistrust, or instructions that were never made clear.

## Examples

他屡次无视警告，冥顽不灵。

### Traditional Chinese

他屢次無視警告，冥頑不靈。

tā lǚ cì wú shì jǐng gào ， míng wán bù líng 。

He repeatedly ignored warnings and remained obstinate.

证据充足，他仍冥顽不灵。

### Traditional Chinese

證據充足，他仍冥頑不靈。

zhèng jù chōng zú ， tā réng míng wán bù líng 。

Even with ample evidence, he remained stubbornly unreceptive.

别把提问的孩子骂成冥顽不灵。

### Traditional Chinese

別把提問的孩子罵成冥頑不靈。

bié bǎ tí wèn de hái zi mà chéng míng wán bù líng 。

Do not call a questioning child hopelessly stubborn.

她不再冥顽不灵，接受了建议。

### Traditional Chinese

她不再冥頑不靈，接受了建議。

tā bú zài míng wán bù líng ， jiē shòu le jiàn yì 。

She stopped resisting reason and accepted the advice.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%86%A5%E9%A0%91%E4%B8%8D%E9%9D%88)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=914&webMd=1&la=0)

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