不约而同(不約而同)
不约而同 (bù yuē ér tóng) literally means “not arrange yet same”and expresses “arrive at same point without coordination”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy & action.
Also searched as: bu yue er tong, bu yue er tong,不约而同 meaning, 不约而同 in english
Pronunciation: bù yuē ér tóng Literal meaning: Not arrange yet same
Origin & Usage
Eastern Han historians first noted this phenomenon of actions that without (不) prior arrangement (约) nevertheless occur identically (同) when documenting how separated officials independently implemented similar policies. Tang Dynasty scholars saw in such convergence evidence of universal principles guiding human thought. Modern scientists particularly value such instances of independent discovery as validation of underlying truth.
When to Use
Situation: Without any coordination, three research teams independently reached identical conclusions
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Absolutely sure; foolproof
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Airtight; impenetrable
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Be imperative; must be done
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wéi wèi jiù zhào
Relieve pressure by attacking the source
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Strategic retreat for ultimate victory
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 不约而同 mean in English?
不约而同 (bù yuē ér tóng) literally translates to “Not arrange yet same”and is used to express “Arrive at same point without coordination”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theStrategy & Action category..
When is 不约而同 used?
Situation: Without any coordination, three research teams independently reached identical conclusions
What is the pinyin for 不约而同?
The pinyin pronunciation for 不约而同 is “bù yuē ér tóng”.