háowúyíwèn: 毫无疑问 - Without a Doubt, Unquestionably
Quick Summary
Keywords: 毫无疑问, hao wu yi wen, without a doubt in Chinese, undoubtedly Chinese, unquestionably in Chinese, how to say certainly in Chinese, Chinese idiom for certainty, HSK 5 vocabulary.
Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of the Chinese idiom 毫无疑问 (háo wú yí wèn), which translates to “without a doubt” or “unquestionably.” This comprehensive guide explores its character breakdown, cultural context, and practical use in modern China. With over 10 clear example sentences and analysis, you'll master how to express absolute certainty in Chinese and understand its nuances compared to similar English phrases.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): háo wú yí wèn
Part of Speech: Idiom (成语, chéngyǔ); often functions as an adverb.
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: There is not the slightest doubt; unquestionably, indisputably.
In a Nutshell: 毫无疑问 (háo wú yí wèn) is a formal and emphatic four-character idiom used to express absolute certainty. It's the Chinese equivalent of saying “beyond a shadow of a doubt” or “it goes without saying.” You use it to introduce a statement that you believe is an undeniable fact, leaving no room for argument or questioning.
Character Breakdown
毫 (háo): A fine hair; a tiny bit; in the slightest. This character represents something incredibly small and insignificant.
无 (wú): Without; not have; nothing. This is a fundamental character for negation.
疑 (yí): Doubt; suspicion; uncertainty.
问 (wèn): To ask; a question.
When combined, the literal meaning is “not have the slightest hair of doubt or question.” This powerful construction emphasizes the complete and total absence of any uncertainty. It's not just that there's no doubt—there isn't even a minuscule, hair-sized particle of it.
Cultural Context and Significance
While 毫无疑问 doesn't carry deep philosophical weight like terms such as 关系 (guānxi), its usage reflects a value for conviction and clarity in communication, particularly in formal or argumentative settings. It is a tool for asserting a point with finality and confidence.
In Western culture, you might say “hands down” or “it's a no-brainer” to express certainty. However, these are highly informal. 毫无疑问 is distinct because of its broad range of formality. It is perfectly at home in a serious academic paper, a formal business presentation, or a major news report. Using it isn't just about being sure; it's about presenting a conclusion as a logically sound and unassailable fact. In a culture where maintaining face (面子, miànzi) can be important, stating something with the authority of 毫无疑问 can be a way to project confidence and expertise.
Practical Usage in Modern China
This idiom is common in both written and spoken Chinese, though it carries a slightly more formal tone than everyday adverbs like “definitely” (肯定, kěndìng).
Formal & Written Contexts: It is frequently used in news articles, essays, official reports, and speeches to present facts, findings, or strong conclusions. For example, a report might state, “毫无疑问，新政策将对经济产生深远影响” (Without a doubt, the new policy will have a profound impact on the economy).
Conversational Use: In conversation, it's used to add strong emphasis to an opinion or statement, especially during a serious discussion. It elevates the statement from a simple opinion to a deeply held conviction.
Connotation & Formality: The connotation is neutral—it simply states certainty. Its formality level is medium-to-high. While you can use it with friends, it's best reserved for statements you feel strongly about, rather than trivial matters.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
毫无疑问，他是我们队里最好的球员。
Pinyin: Háo wú yí wèn, tā shì wǒmen duì lǐ zuì hǎo de qiúyuán.
English: Without a doubt, he is the best player on our team.
Analysis: A straightforward use to state a strong, factual opinion.
Example 2:
这次的成功，毫无疑问是大家共同努力的结果。
Pinyin: Zhè cì de chénggōng, háo wú yí wèn shì dàjiā gòngtóng nǔlì de jiéguǒ.
English: This success is, without a doubt, the result of everyone's collective effort.
Analysis: Here, it's used to assign credit and state a conclusion firmly. It often appears after the topic and before the verb.
Example 3:
毫无疑问，学习一门新语言需要时间和耐心。
Pinyin: Háo wú yí wèn, xuéxí yī mén xīn yǔyán xūyào shíjiān hé nàixīn.
English: Unquestionably, learning a new language requires time and patience.
Analysis: Used to state a general truth that the speaker believes is universally accepted.
Example 4:
他对公司的贡献是毫无疑问的。
Pinyin: Tā duì gōngsī de gòngxiàn shì háo wú yí wèn de.
English: His contribution to the company is beyond question.
Analysis: Notice the addition of 的 (de) at the end. This transforms the phrase into an adjective, modifying “contribution.” The structure “是 + 毫无疑问 + 的” is very common.
Example 5:
毫无疑问，环保是当今世界最重要的议题之一。
Pinyin: Háo wú yí wèn, huánbǎo shì dāngjīn shìjiè zuì zhòngyào de yìtí zhī yī.
English: Unquestionably, environmental protection is one of the most important issues in the world today.
Analysis: This example shows its use in a formal, almost academic context to introduce a major premise.
Example 6:
从他的表情来看，他毫无疑问是在撒谎。
Pinyin: Cóng tā de biǎoqíng lái kàn, tā háo wú yí wèn shì zài sāhuǎng.
English: Judging from his expression, he is without a doubt lying.
Analysis: Used here to state a firm conclusion based on evidence (his expression).
Example 7:
那家餐厅的菜毫无疑问是全城最好吃的。
Pinyin: Nà jiā cāntīng de cài háo wú yí wèn shì quán chéng zuì hǎochī de.
English: The food at that restaurant is, without a doubt, the most delicious in the whole city.
Analysis: A common way to express a very strong personal opinion as if it were a fact.
Example 8:
面对这么多证据，他有罪是毫无疑问的。
Pinyin: Miànduì zhème duō zhèngjù, tā yǒuzuì shì háo wú yí wèn de.
English: Facing so much evidence, his guilt is indisputable.
Analysis: Another example of the “是 + 毫无疑问 + 的” structure, used here in a legal or argumentative context.
Example 9:
毫无疑问，科技已经彻底改变了我们的生活。
Pinyin: Háo wú yí wèn, kējì yǐjīng chèdǐ gǎibiànle wǒmen de shēnghuó.
English: Without a doubt, technology has completely changed our lives.
Analysis: A perfect opening for a discussion or essay about the impact of technology.
Example 10:
她毫无疑问是这个职位最合适的人选。
Pinyin: Tā háo wú yí wèn shì zhège zhíwèi zuì héshì de rénxuǎn.
English: She is, without a doubt, the most suitable candidate for this position.
Analysis: Used to give a strong endorsement or make a firm recommendation.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
In English, “of course” can be used to agree to a request politely. 毫无疑问 cannot be used this way. It states a fact; it doesn't grant permission or agree to help.
肯定 (kěndìng): Definitely; surely. A very common and less formal adverb for expressing certainty in daily conversation.
当然 (dāngrán): Of course; certainly. Used to state the obvious or to agree readily to a request. Much more conversational than 毫无疑问.
确实 (quèshí): Indeed; really. Used to confirm something is true, often in agreement with what someone else has just said.
毋庸置疑 (wúyōngzhìyí): Beyond all doubt. A more formal and literary synonym of 毫无疑问, often found in writing.
显而易见 (xiǎn'ér'yìjiàn): Obvious; evident. An idiom that describes something that is clear and easy to understand, focusing on the clarity of the evidence.
不用说 (búyòngshuō): Needless to say; it goes without saying. Similar in meaning, but focuses more on the idea that the fact is so obvious it doesn't even need to be stated.
千真万确 (qiānzhēn-wànquè): Absolutely true. An idiom that stresses the authenticity and truthfulness of a piece of information, like a fact or a piece of news.
毫无 (háo wú): Not in the least; not at all. The first two characters of the idiom, which can be used as a prefix. For example,
毫无关系 (háo wú guānxì) - “completely unrelated,” or
毫无兴趣 (háo wú xìngqù) - “not interested at all.”