不可思议
不可思议 (bù kě sī yì) literally means “cannot be thought discussed” and expresses “beyond comprehension or explanation”. 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: bu ke si yi, bu ke si yi,不可思议 meaning, 不可思议 in english
Beyond comprehension or explanation
Pronunciation: bù kě sī yì Literal meaning: Cannot be thought discussed
Origin & Usage
Early Buddhist sutras translated during the Eastern Han Dynasty brought us this description of matters that cannot (不可) be comprehended through thought or discussion (思议). Originally describing transcendent Buddha-realms beyond ordinary understanding, Tang Dynasty writers adopted it for any phenomena defying rational explanation. Today it perfectly captures moments when human comprehension meets its fundamental limits, from quantum physics to artistic genius.
When to Use
Situation: The quantum phenomenon defied all conventional understanding of physics
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 不可思议 mean in English?
不可思议 (bù kě sī yì) literally translates to “Cannot be thought discussed” and is used to express “Beyond comprehension or explanation”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 不可思议 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving beyond comprehension or explanation.
What is the pinyin for 不可思议?
The pinyin pronunciation for 不可思议 is “bù kě sī yì”.