hoshinoumi Posted January 21, 2018 at 06:28 PM Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 at 06:28 PM Can anyone help me with this expression? 不懂人情 I know the meaning of every word individually but can't put it all together. I know 不懂人情世故, is it any closer in meaning? Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
889 Posted January 21, 2018 at 10:30 PM Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 at 10:30 PM Doesn't it usually describe a somewhat cold and impassive sort of person, maybe more strongly than that depending on context? The pattern is similar to 不懂礼貌 and 不懂规矩, with all used as somewhat harsh criticism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted January 21, 2018 at 10:44 PM Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 at 10:44 PM I always had it down as more ungrateful/unappreciative as in not knowing enough to repay a favour in the context of expected reciprocity, which can be cold but might be selfish or thoughtless/naive too. Think you can also hear it in contexts where it's more like "you don't know the ways of the world!" when it's a comment on someone's handling of a particular situation rather than their personality or behaviour as a whole. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calibre2001 Posted January 22, 2018 at 02:34 AM Report Share Posted January 22, 2018 at 02:34 AM 3 hours ago, Jim said: I always had it down as more ungrateful/unappreciative as in not knowing enough to repay a favour in the context of expected reciprocity, which can be cold but might be selfish or thoughtless/naive too. Think you can also hear it in contexts where it's more like "you don't know the ways of the world!" when it's a comment on someone's handling of a particular situation rather than their personality or behaviour as a whole. Sounds like 不懂做人 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Publius Posted January 22, 2018 at 05:58 AM Report Share Posted January 22, 2018 at 05:58 AM A tangential question: what is the difference between 不懂人情 and 不省人事? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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