莫名其妙
莫名其妙 (mò míng qí miào) literally means “cannot name its wonder” and expresses “makes no sense”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: mo ming qi miao, mo ming qi miao,莫名其妙 meaning, 莫名其妙 in english
Makes no sense
Pronunciation: mò míng qí miào
Literal meaning: Cannot name its wonder
Origin & Usage
Originating in Daoist texts describing inexplicable mysteries, this phrase captures the sensation of encountering something whose wonder (妙) cannot (莫) be named (名). During the Six Dynasties period, it was frequently used in poetry and philosophical writings to describe transcendent experiences. Buddhist translators later adopted it to express concepts of ineffable enlightenment. In contemporary usage, it's evolved to describe confusing or inexplicable situations, though it retains a subtle appreciation for life's mysteries that distinguishes it from purely negative expressions of confusion.
Examples
English: "The teacher's patient guidance slowly transformed the struggling student"
Chinese: 老师耐心的引导慢慢改变了这个困难学生
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 莫名其妙 mean in English?
莫名其妙 (mò míng qí miào) literally translates to “Cannot name its wonder” and is used to express “Makes no sense”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 莫名其妙 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving makes no sense.
What is the pinyin for 莫名其妙?
The pinyin pronunciation for 莫名其妙 is “mò míng qí miào”.