# 旁若无人

páng ruò wú rén

Act without awareness of people nearby

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** As if no one else were beside you

**Traditional Chinese:** 旁若無人

**Register:** Descriptive · general

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

## When to use it

Describe disregard for others or complete absorption.

Tone can be admiring or critical.

## Understanding the expression

The person behaves as though the surrounding people are absent. In modern use this may criticize loud or inconsiderate behavior in public, but it can also describe deep concentration or unselfconscious confidence. Context provides the judgment. A performer absorbed in their work is different from a passenger disturbing everyone nearby. The phrase itself draws attention to the person's lack of awareness of the audience or company around them.

## Examples

他在车上旁若无人地大声通话。

### Traditional Chinese

他在車上旁若無人地大聲通話。

tā zài chē shàng páng ruò wú rén dì dà shēng tōng huà 。

He talks loudly on the bus without regard for others.

她旁若无人地投入排练。

### Traditional Chinese

她旁若無人地投入排練。

tā páng ruò wú rén dì tóu rù pái liàn 。

She rehearses with complete absorption.

两人在门口旁若无人地争吵。

### Traditional Chinese

兩人在門口旁若無人地爭吵。

liǎng rén zài mén kǒu páng ruò wú rén dì zhēng chǎo 。

The two argue at the entrance, ignoring everyone nearby.

孩子旁若无人地唱起歌来。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子旁若無人地唱起歌來。

hái zi páng ruò wú rén dì chàng qǐ gē lái 。

The child starts singing without self consciousness.

## 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=%E6%97%81%E8%8B%A5%E7%84%A1%E4%BA%BA)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=223&webMd=1&la=0)

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