yǔ shì wú zhēng: 与世无争 - Unworldly, Detached, Not contending with the world

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• Summary: 与世无争 (yǔ shì wú zhēng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) describing a person or lifestyle that is unconcerned with worldly affairs, fame, or fortune. It paints a picture of someone who is peaceful, content, and chooses not to engage in the competitive struggles of society. This concept, deeply rooted in Taoist and Buddhist philosophy, represents a state of inner tranquility and detachment, often considered a noble and wise way of life in Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yǔ shì wú zhēng
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (四字成语) / Adjective
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: To be at peace with the world and not engage in worldly competition or conflict.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine someone who doesn't care about getting a promotion, having the newest phone, or winning an argument. They are perfectly happy with a simple, quiet life. That's the essence of `与世无争`. It’s not about being lazy or apathetic; it's a conscious choice to prioritize inner peace over external validation. It’s like being a peaceful observer of life's “rat race” rather than a stressed-out participant.

• 与 (yǔ): “with,” “and,” or “to be with.”
• 世 (shì): “the world,” “society,” or “an era.” This refers to the hustle and bustle of human society.
• 无 (wú): A negative particle meaning “no,” “without,” or “to not have.”
• 争 (zhēng): “to fight,” “to argue,” “to compete,” or “to contend for.”
• The characters combine literally to mean “with the world, have no conflict.” This beautifully captures the idea of living in harmony with society by refusing to engage in its competitive struggles.

`与世无争` is more than just a personality trait; it's a philosophical ideal with deep roots in Chinese culture. It is heavily influenced by:

• Taoism (道家): The Taoist concept of `无为 (wúwéi)`, or “effortless action,” is central here. `无为` teaches that one should act in harmony with the natural flow of the universe (the Dao) rather than struggling against it. A person who is `与世无争` embodies this by not forcing their will upon the world to gain power or wealth.
• Buddhism (佛教): Buddhism emphasizes detachment from worldly desires and attachments as the path to enlightenment. `与世无争` reflects this ideal of letting go of ego and the craving for material success, which are seen as sources of suffering.

Comparison to a Western Concept: In much of Western culture, particularly in the US, “ambition” and “competitiveness” are often celebrated as virtues. The “go-getter” who climbs the corporate ladder is a common role model. `与世无争` presents an alternative, almost opposite, ideal. It suggests that true success is not found in winning, but in opting out of the game altogether. It's not about being a “loser,” but about choosing a different definition of winning: inner peace and contentment. It is the perfect antidote to modern “hustle culture.”

`与世无争` is generally a term of praise, used to describe someone as wise, noble, and content.

• Describing People: It's often used to describe retirees who enjoy a quiet life, artists or scholars focused on their craft rather than fame, or anyone who seems genuinely happy with a simple existence.
• Expressing Personal Goals: A young person tired of the intense competition in school or the workplace (known as `内卷 (nèijuǎn)`) might say they aspire to a `与世无争` lifestyle.
• Connotation: While overwhelmingly positive, in a highly competitive business context, describing a colleague as `与世无争` could subtly imply they aren't ambitious or proactive enough. However, this is a secondary, context-dependent nuance. The primary meaning remains one of admirable tranquility.

• Example 1:
  • 他退休后，过着与世无争的田园生活。
  • Pinyin: Tā tuìxiū hòu, guòzhe yǔ shì wú zhēng de tiányuán shēnghuó.
  • English: After he retired, he lived a peaceful and detached pastoral life.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, positive usage. It describes a retiree who has left the “rat race” for a simple, idyllic life in the countryside.
• Example 2:
  • 这位艺术家性格与世无争，只专注于自己的创作。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi yìshùjiā xìnggé yǔ shì wú zhēng, zhǐ zhuānzhù yú zìjǐ de chuàngzuò.
  • English: This artist has an unworldly personality and only focuses on his own creations.
  • Analysis: This highlights the noble aspect of the term, suggesting the artist is pure and unconcerned with fame or money.
• Example 3:
  • 在这个竞争激烈的行业里，他与世无争的态度让他显得很特别。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhège jìngzhēng jīliè de hángyè lǐ, tā yǔ shì wú zhēng de tàidù ràng tā xiǎnde hěn tèbié.
  • English: In this fiercely competitive industry, his detached attitude makes him seem very special.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts the person's peaceful nature with a high-pressure environment.
• Example 4:
  • 我最大的愿望就是找个安静的地方，过与世无争的日子。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuìdà de yuànwàng jiùshì zhǎo ge ānjìng de dìfāng, guò yǔ shì wú zhēng de rìzi.
  • English: My biggest wish is to find a quiet place and live a life free from worldly struggles.
  • Analysis: Here, a person is expressing their own aspiration. It’s a common sentiment among those feeling overwhelmed by modern life.
• Example 5:
  • 有些人觉得他与世无争，其实他只是不在乎那些小事。
  • Pinyin: Yǒuxiē rén juéde tā yǔ shì wú zhēng, qíshí tā zhǐshì bù zàihū nàxiē xiǎoshì.
  • English: Some people think he is unconcerned with the world, but actually, he just doesn't care about trivial matters.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides a deeper explanation of the mindset. It's not about ignoring everything, but about having different priorities.
• Example 6:
  • 他看起来与世无争，但关键时刻总能挺身而出。
  • Pinyin: Tā kàn qǐlái yǔ shì wú zhēng, dàn guānjiàn shíkè zǒng néng tǐngshēn'érchū.
  • English: He seems detached and peaceful, but he can always step up at critical moments.
  • Analysis: This clarifies a common misconception. `与世无争` doesn't mean being passive or useless. It means not seeking out conflict, but one can still be responsible and capable.
• Example 7:
  • 很多人都向往那种与世无争的生活，但真正能做到的没几个。
  • Pinyin: Hěnduō rén dōu xiàngwǎng nà zhǒng yǔ shì wú zhēng de shēnghuó, dàn zhēnzhèng néng zuòdào de méi jǐ ge.
  • English: Many people long for that kind of detached lifestyle, but very few can actually achieve it.
  • Analysis: This acknowledges that while it's a beautiful ideal, it's difficult to achieve in practice in modern society.
• Example 8:
  • 在古代，许多文人选择归隐山林，过着与世无争的生活。
  • Pinyin: Zài gǔdài, xǔduō wénrén xuǎnzé guīyǐn shānlín, guòzhe yǔ shì wú zhēng de shēnghuó.
  • English: In ancient times, many scholars chose to retreat to the mountains and forests to live a life detached from worldly affairs.
  • Analysis: This provides historical context, linking the term to the scholar-hermit tradition in China.
• Example 9:
  • 这个小村庄仿佛与世无争，保留着最原始的宁静。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiǎo cūnzhuāng fǎngfú yǔ shì wú zhēng, bǎoliúzhe zuì yuánshǐ de níngjìng.
  • English: This small village seems to be at peace with the world, retaining its original tranquility.
  • Analysis: Here, the term is used figuratively to describe a place, not just a person, personifying the village as peaceful and untouched by the outside world.
• Example 10:
  • 别看他平时与世无争，为了保护家人，他什么都愿意做。
  • Pinyin: Bié kàn tā píngshí yǔ shì wú zhēng, wèile bǎohù jiārén, tā shénme dōu yuànyì zuò.
  • English: Don't be fooled by his usually peaceful nature; he would do anything to protect his family.
  • Analysis: This sentence powerfully distinguishes `与世无争` from apathy. It's about not fighting for oneself, but one can still fight for what truly matters, like family.

• Mistake 1: Confusing it with laziness. `与世无争` is not about being lazy or unproductive. A `与世无争` artist might work tirelessly on their art. The key is their *motivation*—they work for the love of the craft, not for fame or money. It is an active philosophical choice for peace, not a passive failure to act.
• Mistake 2: Confusing it with social anxiety or introversion. A person who is shy or avoids people might not be `与世无争`. They might secretly desire success but be afraid to pursue it. A truly `与世无争` person has let go of that desire. It's a state of mind, not just a behavioral pattern.
• “False Friend” in English: Avoid translating `与世无争` as “apathetic” or “doesn't care about anything.” Apathy has a negative connotation of emptiness or emotional numbness. `与世无争`, by contrast, is positive, implying a state of fullness, contentment, and inner peace.

• 淡泊名利 (dànbó mínglì) - Indifferent to fame and fortune. A very close synonym that focuses specifically on the lack of desire for reputation and wealth.
• 知足常乐 (zhī zú cháng lè) - To be content with what one has leads to constant happiness. This idiom describes the source of the happiness for a `与世无争` person.
• 随缘 (suíyuán) - To go with the flow; to let things happen as they are meant to. This is a Buddhist concept that often describes the mindset of someone who is `与世无争`.
• 佛系 (fóxì) - “Buddha-like.” A modern internet slang term describing a calm, laid-back, and detached attitude towards life's pressures. It can be seen as a modern, sometimes more passive, version of the `与世无争` ideal.
• 争强好胜 (zhēngqiáng hàoshèng) - Eager to compete and win; fiercely competitive. This is a direct antonym, describing the exact personality that `与世无争` is not.
• 内卷 (nèijuǎn) - “Involution.” A popular modern term for the feeling of intense, meaningless internal competition. The desire for a `与世无争` lifestyle is often a direct reaction against `内卷`.
• 无为 (wúwéi) - Non-action or effortless action. The core Taoist philosophical principle that underpins the `与世无争` mindset.
• 世外桃源 (shìwài táoyuán) - “Peach Blossom Spring”; a hidden utopia. This describes the ideal place where one could live a `与世无争` life.