Definition
非亲非故 is a four-character set phrase (成语) meaning 'neither relative nor friend' — used to describe someone you have no personal connection to. It's often used to emphasize that a person has no reason to help you or treat you well, or that a stranger has done something unexpected. The phrase is formal and literary, common in written Chinese and speech about social relationships.
f.e.
neither relative nor friendno personal connection
Examples
- 非亲非故，？Wǒ gēn tā fēi qīn, tā wèishéme yuànyì bāng wǒ?He's neither a relative nor a friend of mine — why is he willing to help me?
- 非亲非故，。Suīrán wǒmen fēi qīn, dàn tā háishì rèqíng de jiēdài le wǒ.Although we have no personal connection, he still warmly received me.
- 非亲非故，。Yí ge fēi qīn de rén tūrán gěi wǒ jì lái lǐwù, ràng wǒ hěn jīngyà.A person with no connection to me suddenly sent me a gift, which surprised me a lot.
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