bùkěsīyì: 不可思议 - Inconceivable, Unbelievable, Incredible

• Keywords: bù kě sī yì, 不可思议, incredible in Chinese, unbelievable in Chinese, inconceivable, Chinese idiom, chengyu, amazing in Chinese, mind-boggling, Chinese four-character idiom.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 不可思议 (bù kě sī yì), a powerful Chinese idiom (chengyu) used to express that something is incredible, unbelievable, or simply inconceivable. Originating from Buddhist scripture, this term describes anything that defies logic or expectation—from amazing achievements and natural wonders to shocking or bizarre events. This guide breaks down its characters, cultural roots, and modern usage, helping you use “bù kě sī yì” naturally and effectively in conversation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bù kě sī yì
• Part of Speech: Idiom (Chengyu); Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: Something that is beyond comprehension or imagination; inconceivable or unbelievable.
• In a Nutshell: 不可思议 (bù kě sī yì) is the feeling you get when your mind can't process something because it's so amazing, strange, or unexpected. It's the Chinese equivalent of saying “I can't wrap my head around this,” “That's mind-boggling,” or “That's unbelievable!” It can be used for both positive situations (like an incredible magic trick) and negative or neutral ones (like a shocking piece of news).

• 不 (bù): A negative prefix meaning “not” or “no.”
• 可 (kě): Meaning “can” or “able to.”
• 思 (sī): Meaning “to think” or “to contemplate.” The character includes the heart radical (心), implying thought that involves feeling and deep reflection.
• 议 (yì): Meaning “to discuss” or “to comment on.”

When combined, 不可思议 (bù kě sī yì) literally translates to “not-able-to-be-thought-about-or-discussed.” It describes something so profound, strange, or amazing that it transcends the limits of human logic and language.

• Buddhist Origins: This idiom originates from Buddhist scriptures, specifically the Vimalakirti Sutra (《维摩诘经》). It was originally used to describe the profound, mystical nature of Buddhist teachings and enlightenment, which cannot be grasped through ordinary, rational thought. This origin lends the term a sense of depth and gravity that many English equivalents lack.
• Comparison to “Incredible” or “Unbelievable”: In English, “incredible” can be used very casually to mean “great” (e.g., “This meal is incredible!”). 不可思议 is not used this way. It retains its core meaning of defying logic or expectation. While “unbelievable” is a close match, 不可思议 often carries a stronger sense of wonder, awe, or shock. It’s less about simple surprise and more about a fundamental challenge to your perception of what's possible. It signifies that something is not just surprising, but “beyond the realm of normal thought.”

不可思议 is a common idiom used in both formal and informal contexts to express a strong reaction.

• Expressing Awe and Amazement (Positive): It's perfect for reacting to stunning natural landscapes, incredible artistic or athletic performances, and groundbreaking scientific achievements. In this context, it's similar to “mind-blowing” or “amazing.”
• Expressing Disbelief and Shock (Neutral/Negative): It's also used to describe bizarre news, strange behavior, or shocking events that are hard to believe. Here, it conveys a sense of “How could this possibly happen?”
• Formality: As a *chengyu* (four-character idiom), it sounds educated and articulate, but it's so common that it's used by everyone in daily conversation. It adds more expressive power than a simple adjective.

• Example 1:
  • 这个魔术师的表演真是不可思议！
  • Pinyin: Zhège móshùshī de biǎoyǎn zhēnshi bùkěsīyì!
  • English: This magician's performance is truly incredible!
  • Analysis: A classic positive use to express awe at a skill that seems to defy explanation.
• Example 2:
  • 他居然辞掉了那么好的工作，简直不可思议。
  • Pinyin: Tā jūrán cídiàole nàme hǎo de gōngzuò, jiǎnzhí bùkěsīyì.
  • English: He actually quit such a good job, it's simply unbelievable.
  • Analysis: Here, it expresses shock and disbelief at a decision that goes against common sense or expectation.
• Example 3:
  • 看到长城的宏伟，我感到一种不可思议的震撼。
  • Pinyin: Kàndào Chángchéng de hóngwěi, wǒ gǎndào yī zhǒng bùkěsīyì de zhènhàn.
  • English: Seeing the magnificence of the Great Wall, I felt an incredible sense of awe.
  • Analysis: This shows 不可思议 used as an adjective to modify a noun (震撼, zhènhàn - shock/awe).
• Example 4:
  • 现代科技的发展速度让人觉得不可思议。
  • Pinyin: Xiàndài kējì de fāzhǎn sùdù ràng rén juédé bùkěsīyì.
  • English: The speed of modern technological development makes people feel it's incredible.
  • Analysis: A common way to describe rapid change that is hard to fully comprehend.
• Example 5:
  • 你不觉得这件事很不可思议吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bù juédé zhè jiàn shì hěn bùkěsīyì ma?
  • English: Don't you think this matter is incredible/unbelievable?
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how to use it in a question to share a sense of wonder or disbelief with someone.
• Example 6:
  • 在短短一年内，这家小公司变成了行业巨头，这简直是不可思议的。
  • Pinyin: Zài duǎnduǎn yī nián nèi, zhè jiā xiǎo gōngsī biànchéngle hángyè jùtóu, zhè jiǎnzhí shì bùkěsīyì de.
  • English: In just one year, this small company became an industry giant; this is simply incredible.
  • Analysis: Used to describe a rapid, almost miraculous, transformation.
• Example 7:
  • 听到这个消息时，我脸上的表情一定很不可思议。
  • Pinyin: Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi shí, wǒ liǎn shàng de biǎoqíng yīdìng hěn bùkěsīyì.
  • English: When I heard the news, the expression on my face must have been one of utter disbelief.
  • Analysis: Here it describes a person's reaction, not just the event itself.
• Example 8:
  • 宇宙的浩瀚和复杂性真是不可思议。
  • Pinyin: Yǔzhòu de hàohàn hé fùzáxìng zhēnshi bùkěsīyì.
  • English: The vastness and complexity of the universe are truly inconceivable.
  • Analysis: This usage aligns closely with the term's philosophical roots, describing something that is beyond human comprehension.
• Example 9:
  • 他能记住所有客户的名字，记忆力好得不可思议。
  • Pinyin: Tā néng jìzhù suǒyǒu kèhù de míngzì, jìyìlì hǎo de bùkěsīyì.
  • English: He can remember all his clients' names; his memory is unbelievably good.
  • Analysis: Used as a degree complement (好得 + 不可思议) to emphasize the extreme level of his memory.
• Example 10:
  • 案件的真相不可思议，超出了所有人的想象。
  • Pinyin: Ànjiàn de zhēnxiàng bùkěsīyì, chāochūle suǒyǒu rén de xiǎngxiàng.
  • English: The truth of the case was inconceivable, beyond everyone's imagination.
  • Analysis: A formal usage suitable for news reports or serious discussions about a shocking or complex event.

• Mistake: Using it for simple high quality (The “Incredible Pizza” Fallacy).
  • A common mistake for English speakers is to use 不可思议 to mean “very good” or “awesome,” like you might with “incredible” in English.
  • Incorrect: 这个比萨饼不可思议。(Zhège bǐsàbǐng bùkěsīyì.) → This sounds very strange in Chinese.
  • Correct: 这个比萨饼太好吃了！(Zhège bǐsàbǐng tài hǎo chī le!) - This pizza is so delicious!
  • When to use it: You could say: “他用比萨饼的原料做出了一座能吃的雕像，真是不可思议！” (He made an edible statue out of pizza ingredients, that's truly incredible!) because the *feat* is unbelievable, not just the taste.
• Mistake: Overusing it for minor surprises.
  • 不可思议 is a strong word. Using it for something mildly surprising is overkill. It's for things that truly challenge belief or understanding.
  • Overkill: 啊，商店关门了？真不可思议！(Ah, the store is closed? Truly unbelievable!)
  • Better: 啊，商店怎么关门了？真奇怪。(Ah, why is the store closed? So strange.) or 真出乎意料 (Truly unexpected).

• 难以置信 (nán yǐ zhì xìn) - A very close synonym meaning “hard to believe.” It is slightly more direct and less philosophical than 不可思议.
• 奇迹 (qíjì) - A miracle. A 奇迹 is an event or outcome that is 不可思议.
• 惊讶 (jīngyà) - Surprised, amazed. This is the feeling you have when you encounter something 不可思议. 不可思议 describes the thing itself.
• 匪夷所思 (fěi yí suǒ sī) - Lit. “not what ordinary people would think.” A strong synonym, often used for bizarre, outrageous, or inexplicable things. It can carry a more negative or critical tone than 不可思议.
• 出乎意料 (chū hū yì liào) - Beyond expectations, unexpected. A more neutral and common way to say something was a surprise, but without the “mind-boggling” intensity.
• 神乎其神 (shén hū qí shén) - Miraculous, fantastic, god-like. A highly positive term used to describe skills or techniques that are so amazing they seem supernatural.
• 荒谬 (huāngmiù) - Absurd, ridiculous. This describes something that is illogical to the point of being laughable or nonsensical. Some things are 不可思议 because they are so 荒谬.