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. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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。
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
Learn more →
驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
Learn more →
轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
Learn more →
游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
Learn more →
成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
Learn more →
恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
Learn more →
恰到好处
qià dào hǎo chù
Just right; perfectly appropriate
Learn more →
适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
Learn more →
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: This idiom applies when describing situations involving unable to understand despite much thought.
What is the pinyin for 百思不解?
The pinyin pronunciation for 百思不解 is “bǎi sī bù jiě”.