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肆无忌惮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
肆无忌惮sìwújìdànabsolutely unrestrainedHSK 7, i, rank #20701, Hard
肆无忌惮sìwújìdànunbridledHSK 7, i, rank #20701, Hard
肆无忌惮sìwújìdànwithout the slightest scrupleHSK 7, i, rank #20701, Hard
sìwújìdàn(si4wu2ji4dan4) T4
  1. 1absolutely unrestrained
  2. 2unbridled
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March 24, 2026
肆无忌惮(肆無忌憚)sìwújìdàn(si4wu2ji4dan4)

The idiom 肆无忌惮 describes a state of being completely unrestrained or unbridled, often referring to behavior that lacks any sense of scruples or moral constraint. It is commonly used to critique actions that are excessively bold or reckless, especially in the context of negative behaviors like greed or arrogance.

Frequency#20701DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of restraint and moral integrity is highly valued. 肆无忌惮 often reflects a societal disdain for those who act without consideration for others, emphasizing the importance of communal harmony and ethical behavior.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wild horse (肆) galloping freely without any reins (无), unafraid of obstacles (忌) and dashing through a field (惮). This vivid image of a horse running wildly captures the essence of being unrestrained, which helps you remember the pronunciation 'si4 wu2 ji4 dan4'.

Meanings of 肆无忌惮

sìwújìdàn(si4wu2ji4dan4)
1absolutely unrestrained
2unbridled
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 肆无忌惮

肆无忌惮Simplified
肆無忌憚Traditional
Strokes
Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#20701Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 肆无忌惮

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Podcast: 肆无忌惮

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AI Study Notes for 肆无忌惮

Quick Contrast

放肆 (fàngsì) — use 肆无忌惮 for behavior that is not only unrestrained but also morally objectionable, while 放肆 can refer to general unruliness without the moral implication.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a wild horse (肆) galloping freely without any reins (无), unafraid of obstacles (忌) and dashing through a field (惮). This vivid image of a horse running wildly captures the essence of being unrestrained, which helps you remember the pronunciation 'si4 wu2 ji4 dan4'.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in formal contexts to criticize behavior that is excessively audacious or immoral. Common collocations include phrases like 肆无忌惮的行为 (unrestrained behavior) or 肆无忌惮地追求 (unrestrained pursuit). Be cautious with the tone; it’s generally used in a negative light.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 level idiom, 肆无忌惮 relates to themes of moral judgment and ethical discussions. Learners should focus on understanding the nuances in different contexts, as well as practicing similar idioms that express extreme behaviors.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of restraint and moral integrity is highly valued. 肆无忌惮 often reflects a societal disdain for those who act without consideration for others, emphasizing the importance of communal harmony and ethical behavior.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 肆无忌惮 with similar idioms like 肆无忌惮 (to act recklessly) and 肆无忌 (to be unrestrained) which do not convey the same depth of moral judgment. Always use the full idiom to capture the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 肆无忌惮

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Idiom Spotlight: 肆无忌惮

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:four no scruples

Component Characters

four (banker's anti-fraud numeral)
13 strokes
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-less
HSK 44 strokes
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to be jealous of
HSK 77 strokes
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dàndread
11 strokes
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Write 肆无忌惮

Practice writing 肆无忌惮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 肆无忌惮

肆无忌惮 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. It carries 3 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 2

Complete the Sentence

一天天过去,哈里代的评论越来越____,越来越讨人嫌,越来越阴损了.

Halliday's comments grew daily more and more sparklingly disagreeable and disparaging.

Example Sentences for 肆无忌惮 (2)

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1
一天天过去,哈里代的评论越来越肆无忌惮,越来越讨人嫌,越来越阴损了.

yī tiān tiān guò qù, , hā lǐ dài de píng lùn yuè lái yuè sì wú jì, dàn , yuè lái yuè tǎo, rén xián , yuè lái yuè.

Halliday's comments grew daily more and more sparklingly disagreeable and disparaging.
2
他带着肆无忌惮的好奇瞧着她.

tā dài zháo sì wú jì dàn de hǎo qí qiáo zháo tā.

He looked at her with unashamed curiosity.

Cultural Notes for 肆无忌惮

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of restraint and moral integrity is highly valued. 肆无忌惮 often reflects a societal disdain for those who act without consideration for others, emphasizing the importance of communal harmony and ethical behavior.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the idea of being unrestrained might be viewed as liberating, whereas in Chinese culture, it is often seen as a negative trait indicating a lack of morality and respect for social norms.

Frequently Asked Questions about 肆无忌惮

Yes, it is generally used to describe negative behaviors that lack moral consideration.