# 玩世不恭

wán shì bù gōng

Treat life and others with frivolous disregard

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Play with the world without respect

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Criticize a dismissive attitude that avoids taking things seriously.

Harmless humor is different from disregarding other people's needs.

## The image & its use

A light joke can help a group relax, but treating every responsibility as a joke can make cooperation difficult. This expression describes a broader attitude of frivolous disregard. It is critical rather than a compliment for being playful. The distinction lies in whether the person still listens and takes others' needs seriously. A specific example of neglected responsibility supports the criticism better than a general label. Someone can enjoy humor while remaining dependable and considerate in the matters that count.

## Examples

他总把约定当笑话，显得玩世不恭。

### Traditional Chinese

他總把約定當笑話，顯得玩世不恭。

tā zǒng bǎ yuē dìng dāng xiào huà ， xiǎn de wán shì bù gōng 。

Treating every agreement as a joke makes him seem dismissive and frivolous.

她喜欢幽默，却并不玩世不恭。

### Traditional Chinese

她喜歡幽默，卻並不玩世不恭。

tā xǐ huan yōu mò ， què bìng bù wán shì bù gōng 。

She enjoys humor but does not treat life with frivolous disregard.

小说中的人物起初玩世不恭，后来学会认真合作。

### Traditional Chinese

小說中的人物起初玩世不恭，後來學會認真合作。

xiǎo shuō zhōng de rén wù qǐ chū wán shì bù gōng ， hòu lái xué huì rèn zhēn hé zuò 。

The novel's character begins with a dismissive attitude and later learns to cooperate seriously.

讨论时别玩世不恭，大家都在认真准备。

### Traditional Chinese

討論時別玩世不恭，大家都在認真準備。

tǎo lùn shí bié wán shì bù gōng ， dà jiā dōu zài rèn zhēn zhǔn bèi 。

Do not dismiss the discussion as a joke; everyone is preparing seriously.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1176&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%8E%A9%E4%B8%96%E4%B8%8D%E6%81%AD)

## Keep exploring

- [万紫千红 wàn zǐ qiān hóng A brilliant profusion of colors or flourishing activity ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wan-zi-qian-hong)

- [望尘莫及 wàng chén mò jí Be unable to match or catch up ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-chen-mo-ji)

- [望梅止渴 wàng méi zhǐ kě Soothe a need through imagination ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-mei-zhi-ke)

- [妄自菲薄 wàng zì fěi bó Undervalue oneself without good reason ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-zi-fei-bo)

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