Chinese idiom · 成语
旁若无人
Meaning
As if no one’s nearby; oblivious to others.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountIn the Records of the Grand Historian's account of Jing Ke, the future assassin drinks in the marketplace of Yan with a dog butcher and the musician Gao Jianli. When the drinking is under way, Gao plays the zhu and Jing Ke sings. Their delight turns to weeping, all as though nobody else were nearby.
The phrase describes this uninhibited public behavior, not Jing Ke's later attempt to kill the king of Qin. Its meaning widened to include acting without regard for surrounding people. Depending on context it can suggest freedom from self-consciousness, but often it criticizes someone being inconsiderate or arrogant.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
他在安静的车厢里旁若无人地开着免提聊天。
He chatted on speakerphone in the quiet carriage as though no one else were there.
Often criticizes disregard for others; context can also make it neutral.