袖手旁观

• Pinyin: xiù shǒu páng guān
• Desglose de hanzi: 袖 = 衤 + 由 (sleeve); 手 = hand; 旁 = 方 + 㫄 (beside/alongside); 观 = 又 + 见 (watch/observe)

Significado

Quedarse de brazos cruzados; mirar sin ayudar cuando hace falta actuar.

An idiom criticising passive bystanders who fail to intervene when others need help. Carries a strong negative moral connotation. Used in social, political, and ethical discourse.

Ejemplos

1. 面对街头的不公正行为，我们不能袖手旁观，每个人都有责任在力所能及的范围内伸出援手。
2. 盟国在危机期间袖手旁观，既未提供物资援助，也未发表任何声援声明，令外界大失所望。
3. 他对同事遭受的不公正待遇袖手旁观，事后却声称自己无能为力，遭到众人强烈谴责。

Guía de uso

Contexto: ethics, politics, social responsibility, criticism

Tono: negative/critical

Correcto

• 当灾难发生时，国际社会不应袖手旁观，而应积极协调资源，为受灾地区提供及时有效的援助。(When disaster strikes, the international community should not stand by with folded arms but should actively coordinate resources to provide timely and effective assistance to affected areas.)
• 身为领导者，在团队遇到困难时若选择袖手旁观，必将失去下属的信任与尊重。(As a leader, choosing to stand by idly when the team faces difficulties will inevitably cost you the trust and respect of your subordinates.)

Incorrecto

• 我袖手旁观着日落 — 袖手旁观 implies culpable passivity in a situation requiring intervention; for simply watching a scene use 静静地欣赏 or 观赏; 袖手旁观 must involve a duty to act

Origen e historia

袖 (sleeve) + 手 (hand) + 旁 (beside) + 观 (watch) — hiding hands in sleeves while watching from the side; a traditional image of deliberate non-involvement

Contexto cultural

Época: Traditional to Modern

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Universal