百思不解
百思不解 (bǎi sī bù jiě) literally means “think a hundred times still not understand” and expresses “unable to understand despite much thought”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: bai si bu jie, bai si bu jie,百思不解 meaning, 百思不解 in english
Unable to understand despite much thought
Pronunciation: bǎi sī bù jiě Literal meaning: Think a hundred times still not understand
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes thinking (思) a hundred times (百) yet still not (不) understanding (解), expressing puzzlement that persists despite extensive contemplation. The number 'hundred' suggests numerous attempts rather than a literal count. The phrase emerged in literary contexts describing mysteries and paradoxes that resist rational explanation. It captures the frustration of encountering something genuinely incomprehensible. Modern usage describes confusion about decisions, behaviors, or events that defy logical explanation.
Examples
English: "No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't understand his decision."
Chinese: 无论她怎么想，都对他的决定百思不解。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 百思不解 mean in English?
百思不解 (bǎi sī bù jiě) literally translates to “Think a hundred times still not understand” and is used to express “Unable to understand despite much thought”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 百思不解 used?
Situation: No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't understand his decision.
What is the pinyin for 百思不解?
The pinyin pronunciation for 百思不解 is “bǎi sī bù jiě”.