爱理不理

• Pinyin: ài lǐ bù lǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 爱 = love/inclined; 理 = pay attention to; 不 = not

Meaning

To be cold and indifferent; to pay little attention to someone; dismissive.

Describes an attitude of being aloof or showing minimal interest — responding only reluctantly or barely acknowledging someone. Often implies arrogance or displeasure.

Examples

1. 自从那次吵架后，她对我一直爱理不理的。 Since that argument, she has been cold and dismissive toward me.
2. 那个服务员态度很差，对顾客爱理不理的。 That server had a terrible attitude — totally indifferent to customers.
3. 他今天怎么爱理不理的？是不是遇到什么不开心的事了？ Why is he being so standoffish today? Did something upset him?

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, complaint

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 他对同事总是爱理不理。(He's always dismissive toward his colleagues.)
• 别对客人爱理不理的，要热情点。(Don't be cold to guests — be more enthusiastic.)

Don't Say

• 用'爱理不理'形容积极的态度 (Don't use 爱理不理 positively — it always has negative connotations)

Origin & History

爱 here means 'to be inclined to' rather than 'love.' 理 means 'to pay attention.' The structure 爱…不… indicates doing something reluctantly or inconsistently.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal