非亲非故 (fēi qīn fēi gù) — neither relative nor friend; no personal connection

Definition

Idiom meaning 'neither kin nor acquaintance' — emphasizes having no personal tie whatsoever to someone. Often used to express surprise that a stranger helped or showed kindness.

idiom
neither relative nor friendno personal connection

Examples

  • 非亲非故
    Wǒ gēn tā fēi qīn fēi gù, tā wèi shén me yuàn yì bāng wǒ?
    He's neither a relative nor a friend of mine — why is he willing to help me?
  • 非亲非故
    Suī rán wǒ men fēi qīn fēi gù, dàn tā hái shì rè qíng dì jiē dài le wǒ.
    Although we have no personal connection, he still warmly received me.
  • 非亲非故
    Yí gè fēi qīn fēi gù de rén tū rán gěi wǒ jì lái lǐ wù, ràng wǒ hěn jīng yà.
    A person with no connection to me suddenly sent me a gift, which surprised me a lot.

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