Chinese word

不为人知

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù wéi rén zhī

Meaning

  • adjectiveunknown

Example

这个古老的习俗一直不为人知。zhè ge gú lǎo de xí sú yì zhí bù wéi rén zhī

This ancient custom has remained unknown.

Illustration for 不为人知 (unknown)

More examples

调查揭露了许多不为人知的事实。diào chá jiē lù le xǔ duō bù wéi rén zhī de shì shí

The investigation revealed many little-known facts.

Core concept

Something remains beyond the circle of people who know about it.

Common phrases

  • 不为人知的事实bù wéi rén zhī de shì shí

    little-known facts

  • 不为人知的一面bù wéi rén zhī de yí miàn

    little-known side

Similar words

不为人所知bù wéi rén suǒ zhī: Not known to people and remaining outside their knowledge.
鲜为人知xiǎn wéi rén zhī: Known to very few people rather than to the wider public.
默默无闻mò mò wú wén: Remaining unnoticed and without fame or public recognition.

Definition in Chinese

不为人所知或少有人知，用来形容不为公众所晓、较为隐蔽或未被传播的事物或情况。bù wéi rén suǒ zhī huò shǎo yǒu rén zhī yòng lái xíng róng bú wèi gōng zhòng suǒ xiǎo jiào wéi yǐn bì huò wèi bèi chuán bō de shì wù huò qíng kuàng

Word origin

不 (bù, "not") + 为 (wéi, "by") + 人 (rén, "people") + 知 (zhī, "know") forms a compact passive expression for something that people do not know.

Usage tips

  • Its relatively formal tone suits descriptions of history, culture, and research, while casual speech often states the same idea in a full conversational clause.

Other meanings

  • obscureadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word