無 (wú) - Without & not have

無Tone 2

wú ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

無 · wú

Without;

not have;

none;

nothing;

negative prefix;

used to form words meaning 'without' or 'lack of'.

Withoutnot havenone

Usage highlights

No problemHelplessFearlessUnselfishInfiniteNothing

Synonyms

  • 没— not have; there is not
  • 空— empty; void
  • 虚— void; emptiness

Antonyms

  • 有— have; exist; there is
  • 存— exist; preserve
  • 具— possess; have

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • There is no problem (没问题).
  • I have no choice (无奈).
  • He is fearless (无所畏惧).
  • The boundless sea (无边无际的大海).

Collocations

  • No problem(没问题)
  • Helpless(无奈)
  • Fearless(无畏)
  • Unselfish(无私)
  • Infinite(无限)
  • Nothing(无物)

Idioms

  • Boundless(无边无际)
  • Unselfish and fearless(无私无畏)
  • From nothing comes something(无中生有)
  • Without any restraint(无拘无束)
  • Unparalleled in the world(举世无双)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Important concept in Taoism representing the primordial state of the universe before creation.
  • Buddhist concept of emptiness or void (śūnyatā) is often translated using 无.
  • Used in classical Chinese philosophy to discuss non-being and the fundamental nature of reality.

FAQ