忽略

• Pinyin: hū lüè
• Hanzi breakdown: 忽 = 勿 (do not) + 心 (heart), meaning to overlook; 略 = 田 (field) + 各 (each), meaning to omit

Meaning

To neglect; to overlook; to ignore. Failing to notice or give proper attention to something.

Used for unintentional oversight or deliberate dismissal. Common collocations: 忽略细节 (overlook details), 容易忽略 (easy to overlook), 不可忽略 (cannot be ignored). More neutral than 无视 (deliberately ignore).

Examples

1. 太忙的时候很容易忽略身边人的感受，这是需要反省的地方。 When we're too busy, it's easy to overlook the feelings of those around us — this is something to reflect on.
2. 这个细节虽然小，但是不能忽略，否则可能影响最终结果。 Although this detail is small, it cannot be ignored, otherwise it may affect the final result.
3. 在追求效率的同时，我们不应该忽略产品的质量。 While pursuing efficiency, we shouldn't neglect product quality.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, work, relationships

Tone: cautionary

Do Say

• 别忽略这个问题。(Don't overlook this issue.)
• 我忽略了一个重要细节。(I overlooked an important detail.)

Don't Say

• 用忽略表示故意不理睬 (If you mean deliberate snubbing, use 无视 or 冷落 instead of 忽略)

Origin & History

Compound of 忽 (sudden, neglect) + 略 (brief, omit). Both characters suggest lack of attention.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal