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bù 不 zhī 知 bù 不 jué 觉

不知不觉 bù zhī bù jué

unconsciously; before one knows it

Literally: not know not feel

Beginner ⏳ Time & change
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Origin

Descriptive; no single source story. Used in Song dynasty Buddhist and Neo-Confucian texts about things happening without awareness.

How to use it

Adverbial, often at the start of a clause; neutral. Often 不知不觉就……了.

Example sentences

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  1. 我们聊得很开心，不知不觉已经十二点了。
    Wǒmen liáo de hěn kāixīn, bù zhī bù jué yǐjīng shí'èr diǎn le.
    We were chatting happily and before we knew it, it was already twelve o'clock.
    we chat (particle) very happy, not know not feel already twelve o'clock (particle)
  2. 不知不觉，我来中国已经一年了。
    Bù zhī bù jué, wǒ lái Zhōngguó yǐjīng yī nián le.
    Without my noticing, I've already been in China for a year.
    not know not feel, I come China already one year (particle)

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