无所作为

wú suǒ zuò wéi

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Rare

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Definitions

1. attempting nothing and accomplishing nothing (idiom); without any initiative or drive
2. feckless

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 积极进取 jī jí jìn qǔ 积极进取 jī jí jìn qǔ proactive “无所作为”表示不积极，与“积极进取”意思相反: proactive

Related words

2 items

• 碌碌无为 lù lù wú wéi 碌碌无为 lù lù wú wéi unaccomplished 意思相近，都形容平庸没有作为: unaccomplished
• 无能为力 wú néng wéi lì 无能为力 wú néng wéi lì impotent (idiom) 区别在于“无能为力”强调没有能力去做，“无所作为”强调不主动去做: impotent (idiom)

Synonyms

1 item

• 一事无成 yī shì wú chéng 一事无成 yī shì wú chéng to have achieved nothing 二者都指没有成就，但“无所作为”侧重没有主动作为，“一事无成”侧重结果上一事无成: to have achieved nothing

Usage notes

Common mistakes

“无所作为”常被误用为“无所不为”，后者意思是“什么坏事都做”，褒贬色彩完全不同。

Formality

该成语为书面语，正式语境中使用，口语中更常用“没有作为”。

Example Sentences

1 shown

我们不能 无所作为 ，要主动解决问题。

We cannot sit idly by; we need to take the initiative to solve problems.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 无所作为

• 作 作 zuō: worker
• 作 作 zuò: to do; to engage in
• 作为 作为 zuò wéi: one's conduct
• 所 所 suǒ: actually
• 为 为 wéi: as (in the capacity of)
• 为 为 wèi: because of
• 无 无 wú: not to have