acting as if no one else is around; behaving outrageously without regard for others
A set phrase describing brazen, selfish behavior that ignores the presence or feelings of others. Often used critically. Compare 傍若無人 (ぼうじゃくぶじん), which is a more common four-character compound with a similar meaning.
See also: 傍若無人 (ぼうじゃくぶじん)
Everyone was appalled by his attitude of acting as if no one else were around.
Talking loudly on the phone during a meeting is behaving as if no one else is there.
A more common and compact four-character compound with essentially the same meaning. 傍らに人無きが如し is a longer, more literary or explanatory expression.
Standard kanji form using 如し; the most compact and common written variant.
Kana spelling of 如し; slightly softer or more explanatory in tone.
Kana spelling of 無き; may be used for readability or in less formal contexts.
A classical Japanese phrase composed of 傍ら (かたわら, 'side' or 'nearby'), に (particle), 人 (ひと, 'person'), 無き (なき, classical attributive form of 無し, 'not exist'), が (archaic possessive/subject particle), and 如し (ごとし, classical auxiliary adjective meaning 'like' or 'as if'). Literally 'as if there were no person beside one'. The expression is literary and idiomatic, not a productive pattern.