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March 24, 2026
不可思议(不可思議)bùkěsīyì(bu4ke3si1yi4)
不可思议 is an idiom that conveys a sense of something being inconceivable or unimaginable. It is often used to describe situations, events, or ideas that are so extraordinary or surprising that they defy understanding or belief.
Frequency#1660DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of the extraordinary often ties into traditional beliefs and folklore, where the unimaginable can be commonplace, such as in tales of gods and mythical creatures.
Memory Tip
Picture a giant 'no' (不) standing in front of a doorway (可) that leads to a mysterious and surreal world (思议). This world is filled with things you can't even imagine, helping you remember that 不可思议 means 'unimaginable' or 'inconceivable'.
Meanings of 不可思议
bùkěsīyì(bu4ke3si1yi4)
1inconceivable (idiom); unimaginable
2unfathomable
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About 不可思议
不可思议Simplified
不可思議Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#1660Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 不可思议
Podcast: 不可思议
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AI Study Notes for 不可思议
Quick Contrast
不可思议 vs 难以置信: Use 不可思议 for situations that are beyond imagination, while 难以置信 emphasizes disbelief in something that seems unbelievable.
Memory Mnemonic
Picture a giant 'no' (不) standing in front of a doorway (可) that leads to a mysterious and surreal world (思议). This world is filled with things you can't even imagine, helping you remember that 不可思议 means 'unimaginable' or 'inconceivable'.
Usage Notes
This idiom is often used in both formal and informal contexts to express astonishment. A common mistake is to use it too casually; it's best reserved for truly remarkable events. Be careful with tone; the fourth tone in '不可' (bu4 ke3) is crucial for proper pronunciation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 不可思议 connects to other advanced vocabulary that deals with emotions and perceptions. Focus on the nuances of expressions of surprise and disbelief, which are key to fluent communication.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of the extraordinary often ties into traditional beliefs and folklore, where the unimaginable can be commonplace, such as in tales of gods and mythical creatures.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 不可思议 with 不能想象 (bu4 neng2 xiang3 xiang4), which is less idiomatic. For example, saying '这件事是不能想象的' (This matter is unthinkable) is awkward; instead, use '这件事真是不可思议' (This matter is truly inconceivable).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 不可思议
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Grammar Patterns of 不可思议
不可思议 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
那条鱼在被捕到网里之前整整挣扎了20分钟，真是____。
The fish put up a spectacular 20 minute struggle before being netted.
I find life more charming and more astonishing than I'd ever dreamed.
7
他怎么能爬得那么远,真不可思议.
tā zěn mó néng pá dé nà mó yuǎn, , zhēn bù kě sī.
It's marvellous how he's managed to climb that far.
8
然而,岔断他的思潮的可不是他祈求的那个“回音”, 而是那股不可思议的反对势力.
rán ér, , chà duàn tā de sī cháo de kě bù shì tā qí qiú de nà“ gè “”, huí yīn ”, ér shì nà gǔ bù kě sī yì de fǎn.
Instead of the answer he demanded, that inexplicable counterinfluence cut across the current of his thought.
Cultural Notes for 不可思议
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of the extraordinary often ties into traditional beliefs and folklore, where the unimaginable can be commonplace, such as in tales of gods and mythical creatures.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the idea of something being 'unimaginable' might often be associated with personal disbelief or skepticism, whereas in Chinese culture, it can also reflect a deeper acceptance of the mysterious and surreal.
Frequently Asked Questions about 不可思议
It's best used for situations that are truly extraordinary, rather than mundane occurrences.
No, it can be used in both written and spoken contexts, though it's more common in written form.
It often appears alongside other expressions of amazement or surprise, enhancing the emotional impact of your statement.
