无意

• Pinyin: wú yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 无 = 无 (without); 意 = 音 + 心 (intention/meaning)

Meaning

To have no intention; unintentionally; inadvertently. As an adverb, by accident or without meaning to.

Indicates lack of deliberate intent, either for actions done accidentally or for expressing disinterest in doing something. Contrasts with 有意 (intentionally).

Examples

1. 他无意中发现了这个秘密。 He stumbled on the secret by accident.
2. 我无意冒犯你，请不要误会。 I didn’t mean to offend you—please don’t misunderstand.
3. 她无意参加这次比赛。 She has no intention of entering this competition.

Usage Guide

Context: apologies, discoveries, declining

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我无意间听到了他们的谈话。(I inadvertently overheard their conversation.)
• 她对这份工作无意，打算另谋出路。(She has no interest in this job and plans to seek other opportunities.)

Don't Say

• 我无意地故意做了 — contradictory; 无意 means unintentional, cannot combine with 故意

Origin & History

无 (without) + 意 (intention)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal