問答無用

• Reading: もんどうむよう
• Romaji: mondou muyou
• Kanji breakdown: 問 (mon) — question, ask; 答 (dou) — answer, reply; 無 (mu) — without, not; 用 (you) — need, use, purpose
• Pronunciation: /mon.doː.mɯ.joː/

Meaning

No discussion needed; brooking no argument; beyond discussion. A declaration that debate or explanation is unnecessary and action will follow immediately.

A yojijukugo (four-character idiom) that shuts down deliberation. 問答 means dialogue or exchange of questions and answers, 無用 means unnecessary or useless — together declaring that further talk is pointless. Often used by someone in authority to override discussion and move directly to action. Can convey decisiveness or authoritarianism depending on context.

Examples

1. 問答無用と言わんばかりに、警備員は不審者を建物の外に連れ出した。 As if to say no discussion was needed, the security guard escorted the suspicious person out of the building.
2. 上司は問答無用でプロジェクトの中止を宣言し、会議室に沈黙が流れた。 The boss declared the project canceled, brooking no argument, and silence fell over the conference room.
3. 状況が緊急のときは問答無用で行動することも必要だと、彼は主張した。 He argued that in urgent situations, it's sometimes necessary to act without debate.

Usage Guide

Context: authority, conflict, leadership, law enforcement

Tone: decisive

Origin & History

A classical Chinese-derived yojijukugo. 問答 (question and answer, dialogue) + 無用 (unnecessary, pointless) — expressing that further discourse serves no purpose and action must replace words.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal