不可思议 bù kě sī yì
unbelievable; inconceivable
Literally: not can think discuss
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Origin
From Buddhist scripture, notably the Vimalakirti Sutra, where it describes a state beyond thought and words.
How to use it
Predicate or attributive; neutral, often amazed. Often 真不可思议 / 不可思议的事.
Example sentences
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- 他一个月就学会了这么多汉字，真不可思议！Tā yī gè yuè jiù xuéhuì le zhème duō Hànzì, zhēn bù kě sī yì!He learned this many characters in a single month; it's unbelievable!he one (measure) month then learn-master (particle) so many Chinese-character, really not can think discuss!
- 这个地方冬天不冷夏天不热，太不可思议了。Zhège dìfang dōngtiān bù lěng xiàtiān bù rè, tài bù kě sī yì le.This place isn't cold in winter or hot in summer; it's incredible.this place winter not cold summer not hot, too not can think discuss (particle)
More chengyu about wisdom & judgement
- 三思而行sān sī ér xíngto think carefully before acting; look before you leap
- 入乡随俗rù xiāng suí súwhen in Rome, do as the Romans do
- 一目了然yī mù liǎo ránclear at a glance; obvious
- 因人而异yīn rén ér yìto vary from person to person
- 举一反三jǔ yī fǎn sānto infer the rest from one example; to learn by analogy
- 心中有数xīn zhōng yǒu shùto know what's what; to have a clear idea of the situation
- 想方设法xiǎng fāng shè fǎto try every possible means; by hook or by crook
- 井底之蛙jǐng dǐ zhī wāa person of narrow outlook; someone who cannot see beyond their own small world