"Shì shì wú dǔ" (熟视无睹) means to see something regularly but act as if one has not seen it at all. It describes an attitude of indifference or lack of attention toward something. Here, "shú shì" (熟视) means to look at something for a long time or to be very familiar with it, while "wú dǔ" (无睹) means not to see. This idiom emphasizes losing sensitivity because one has grown accustomed to something, and it is often used to criticize a numb attitude toward problems, dangers, or the suffering of others. It comes from the Wen Xuan and carries a clearly derogatory connotation, mostly used to rebuke an individual or group for turning a blind eye to unreasonable phenomena. It is used in a wide range of contexts, such as social morality, environmental protection, and workplace management. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the traditional Confucian criticism of "failing to act when one sees what is right," reminding people to maintain conscience and vigilance and not to lose their judgment because of habit.
📝 Example
1. The residents had long turned a blind eye to the littering in the neighborhood, and it only improved after the property management tightened its oversight. (熟视无睹: to see something frequently but act as if one does not see it—describing indifference.)
2. As a leader, one must not turn a blind eye to subordinates' violations, or it will encourage a toxic culture. (熟视无睹: to be so accustomed to seeing something that one acts as if one does not see it—describing a lack of attention or deliberate neglect.)