无所不知
无所不知 (wú suǒ bù zhī) literally means “nothing that is not known” and expresses “know everything; omniscient”. 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: wu suo bu zhi, wu suo bu zhi,无所不知 meaning, 无所不知 in english
Know everything; omniscient
Pronunciation: wú suǒ bù zhī
Literal meaning: Nothing that is not known
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes a state where there is nothing (无所) that is not (不) known (知) - omniscience or encyclopedic knowledge. The phrase originally described divine or sage-like understanding. While no human truly knows everything, the expression praises exceptionally broad knowledge. Modern usage often carries slight exaggeration or humor when describing well-informed individuals, though it can also be used more seriously for true polymaths or in religious contexts.
Examples
English: "She seems to have knowledge about every subject."
Chinese: 她似乎无所不知。
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 无所不知 mean in English?
无所不知 (wú suǒ bù zhī) literally translates to “Nothing that is not known” and is used to express “Know everything; omniscient”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 无所不知 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving know everything; omniscient.
What is the pinyin for 无所不知?
The pinyin pronunciation for 无所不知 is “wú suǒ bù zhī”.