bù不notzhī知knowbù不notjué觉perceive
Unconsciously; unwittingly; without realizing.
Literal meaning
not (不) — know (知) — not (不) — perceive (觉)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing something happening unnoticed.
Examples
Wǒ我bù不zhī知bù不jué觉de地shuì睡zháo着le了。
I fell asleep without realizing it.
Shí时jiān间bù不zhī知bù不jué觉de地guò过qù去le了。
Time passed without us noticing.
Usage & nuances
Highlights the subtle or gradual nature of something.
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