盲目

• Pinyin: máng mù
• Hanzi breakdown: 盲 = 亡 (perish, phonetic) + 目 (eye); 目 = pictograph of an eye

Meaning

Blind; reckless; without rational basis. Acting without adequate information, judgment, or plan.

Describes actions or decisions made without proper research, thought, or information — analogous to acting blindly. Carries a strong critical tone. Common in academic, business, and political analysis to criticize hasty or uninformed decision-making.

Examples

1. 投资者不应盲目跟风追高，而要对市场走势进行理性分析后再作判断。 Investors shouldn’t blindly follow the crowd and chase prices higher; they should make a judgment only after a rational analysis of market trends.
2. 盲目乐观是一种认知偏差，可能导致人们忽视潜在风险，从而作出错误决策。 Blind optimism is a cognitive bias that can cause people to overlook potential risks and make wrong decisions.
3. 政府警告民众不要盲目购买所谓的特效药，要通过正规医疗渠道获取治疗方案。 The government warned the public not to blindly buy so-called miracle drugs and to seek treatment through legitimate medical channels.

Usage Guide

Context: investment, academic, criticism

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 盲目扩张市场会带来巨大的财务风险。(Blindly expanding into the market brings enormous financial risks.)
• 他提醒员工不要盲目服从命令，要学会独立思考。(He reminded employees not to obey orders blindly but to think independently.)

Don't Say

• 用'盲目'形容真实的视觉障碍 — 描述视力问题应用'失明'或'视障' (Don't use 盲目 to describe actual visual impairment — use 失明 or 视障 for literal blindness)

Origin & History

盲 (blind, sightless) + 目 (eye). Together literally meaning blind eye, used figuratively for acting without judgment or awareness.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal