Proverb / Kotowaza
傍若無人
Behaving selfishly or inconsiderately as if there were no other people present.
As if there were no one else by one's side
Quick Answer
Behaving selfishly or inconsiderately as if there were no other people present.
- Literal Image
- As if there were no one else by one's side
- How to Use It
- Used to criticize someone who is being noisy in public, ignoring social rules, or acting high-handedly without considering others.
Meaning
This expression describes a person who acts exactly as they please without any regard for those around them. It suggests a level of arrogance or a lack of manners where one behaves as if they are the only person in the room. Such behavior causes discomfort or annoyance to people in the immediate vicinity.
Literal Image
As if there were no one else by one's side
How to Use It
Used to criticize someone who is being noisy in public, ignoring social rules, or acting high-handedly without considering others.
Tone
Critical and disapproving; used to describe negative behavior.
Examples
電車内で大声で話すなど、傍若無人な振る舞いが目立つ。
Behaviors that ignore others, such as talking loudly on the train, are quite noticeable.
彼の傍若無人な態度は周囲の顰蹙（ひんしゅく）を買っている。
His arrogant attitude is drawing frowns from everyone around him.
傍若無人に振る舞うのもいい加減にしてほしい。
I want them to stop acting so selfishly and start considering others.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
This is a four-character compound (yojijukugo) using high-level kanji and a classical Chinese grammatical structure.
傍
かたわら / katawara
beside, side
若
ごとし / gotoshi
like, as if
無人
むじん / mujin
no people, empty
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a strong criticism of someone's character or manners.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply confident; it specifically refers to rude or inconsiderate behavior that ignores others.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
Derived from the Chinese historical text Shiki (Records of the Grand Historian). The phrase is read as "傍（かたわら）に人無きが若（ごと）し" (katawara ni hito naki ga gotoshi), meaning "as if there were no people beside one."
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.