Meaning and Usage
"袖手旁观" literally means "folding one's arms and watching from the side." It describes a situation where someone observes an event or problem without taking any action, often implying indifference or unwillingness to help.
Common Contexts
This phrase is frequently used in social, workplace, or emergency contexts to criticize passivity or lack of responsibility.
Collocations and Patterns
- 袖手旁观 不作为: to stand by and do nothing, emphasizing inaction.
- 不能 袖手旁观: expressing that one must not remain passive.
Nuance
Using 袖手旁观 often carries a negative connotation, suggesting moral criticism of those who choose not to intervene when action is needed.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse 袖手旁观 with simply observing or watching; it specifically implies a deliberate choice not to act despite being able to.