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March 24, 2026
无知(無知)wúzhī(wu2zhi1)
无知 (wú zhī) means ignorance or a lack of knowledge. It is often used to describe someone who is uninformed about a particular subject or situation. This term can carry a negative connotation, suggesting that the person's ignorance is willful or stubborn.
Frequency#5317DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being labeled as 无知 can carry a strong stigma, often linked to a person's social status or education level. This reflects the high value placed on knowledge and wisdom in Chinese society, historically tied to Confucian ideals.
Memory Tip
Think of 无 (wú) as a 'no' or 'without' sign and 知 (zhī) as knowledge. Together, 无知 represents a state of being without knowledge. Imagine a person wandering in a vast desert, lost and clueless, symbolizing ignorance.
Meanings of 无知
wúzhī(wu2zhi1)
1ignorant
2ignorance
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 无知
无知Simplified
無知Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#5317Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 无知
Podcast: 无知
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AI Study Notes for 无知
Quick Contrast
无知 (ignorance) vs 愚蠢 (foolishness) — use 无知 when referring specifically to a lack of knowledge, while 愚蠢 implies a lack of intelligence or common sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 无 (wú) as a 'no' or 'without' sign and 知 (zhī) as knowledge. Together, 无知 represents a state of being without knowledge. Imagine a person wandering in a vast desert, lost and clueless, symbolizing ignorance.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing this word; it can easily be mispronounced as 无志 (wú zhì), meaning 'without ambition.' This term is more formal and may not be suitable in casual conversations. Common collocations include '无知的态度' (an ignorant attitude) and '无知无畏' (ignorant and unafraid).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 无知 connects with other advanced vocabulary about knowledge and learning. Focus on using it in sentences that reflect critical thinking or discussions about education. Practicing with related words like 知识 (knowledge) can enhance your understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being labeled as 无知 can carry a strong stigma, often linked to a person's social status or education level. This reflects the high value placed on knowledge and wisdom in Chinese society, historically tied to Confucian ideals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 无知 with 无能 (wú néng), which means 'incompetent.' For example, saying '他很无知和无能' (tā hěn wú zhī hé wú néng) incorrectly implies ignorance equates to incompetence. The correct usage would be to separate the two concepts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 无知
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Grammar Patterns of 无知
无知 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他对国际事务缺乏经验且____，这很让我吃惊。
I was alarmed by his naivety and ignorance of international affairs.
Example Sentences for 无知 (9)
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1
他对国际事务缺乏经验且无知，这很让我吃惊。
tā duì guó jì shì wù quē fá jīng yàn qiě wú zhī， ， zhè hěn ràng wǒ chī。
I was alarmed by his naivety and ignorance of international affairs.
wǒ dīng zháo tā， ， duì tā de yú chǔn wú zhī bèi gǎn jīng。
I stared at him, astonished by his stupidity.
Cultural Notes for 无知
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being labeled as 无知 can carry a strong stigma, often linked to a person's social status or education level. This reflects the high value placed on knowledge and wisdom in Chinese society, historically tied to Confucian ideals.
Frequently Asked Questions about 无知
Yes, it typically has a negative connotation, suggesting not just a lack of knowledge but also a refusal to seek it.
It's uncommon to self-identify as 无知; instead, it's usually used to describe others.
Yes, synonyms include 愚昧 (yú mèi), which also means ignorance but carries an even stronger implication of foolishness.
