# 置若罔闻

zhì ruò wǎng wén

Ignore something as though unheard

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Treat it as if not heard

**Traditional Chinese:** 置若罔聞

**Register:** Critical · general

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

## When to use it

Describe deliberate disregard of warnings or requests.

Implies disregard, not accidental failure to hear.

## Understanding the expression

The sound reaches the person, but they treat it as though it never did. The expression criticizes refusing to respond to advice, complaints, or warnings that deserve attention. It often follows 对 to name what is ignored. Actual hearing difficulty or a missed message is different, because the phrase suggests a choice to disregard. A useful sentence identifies the neglected information and the consequence of refusing to engage with it.

## Examples

他对安全提醒置若罔闻。

### Traditional Chinese

他對安全提醒置若罔聞。

tā duì ān quán tí xǐng zhì ruò wǎng wén 。

He ignored the safety warning.

物业对住户投诉置若罔闻。

### Traditional Chinese

物業對住戶投訴置若罔聞。

wù yè duì zhù hù tóu sù zhì ruò wǎng wén 。

Management disregarded residents' complaints.

她不能对医生建议置若罔闻。

### Traditional Chinese

她不能對醫生建議置若罔聞。

tā bù néng duì yī shēng jiàn yì zhì ruò wǎng wén 。

She cannot simply ignore medical advice.

经理对延期请求置若罔闻。

### Traditional Chinese

經理對延期請求置若罔聞。

jīng lǐ duì yán qī qǐng qiú zhì ruò wǎng wén 。

The manager disregarded the request for an extension.

## 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=%E7%BD%AE%E8%8B%A5%E7%BD%94%E8%81%9E)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=468&webMd=1&la=0)

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