Chinese word

可想而知

Pronunciation

Pinyinkě xiǎng ér zhī

Meaning

  • idiompredictable

Example

他不努力工作，可想而知他升不了职。tā bù nǔ lì gōng zuò ké xiǎng ér zhī tā shēng bù liǎo zhí

He does not work hard, so, predictably, he cannot get promoted.

Illustration for 可想而知 (predictable)

More examples

他考试不复习，可想而知成绩不会好。tā kǎo shì bú fù xí ké xiǎng ér zhī chéng jì bú huì hǎo

He did not review for the exam, so, predictably, his score will not be good.

Core concept

A result stands at the end of a chain of facts that leaves little room for surprise.

Common phrases

  • 大家可想而知dà jiā ké xiǎng ér zhī

    everyone can predict

  • 可想而知的是ké xiǎng ér zhī de shì

    what is predictable is

  • 可想而知的结果ké xiǎng ér zhī de jié guǒ

    predictable result

Similar words

不出所料bù chū suǒ liào: The result happens just as expected, confirming a prior prediction and causing no surprise.
意料之中yì liào zhī zhōng: The result falls within what was anticipated beforehand.
情理之中qíng lǐ zhī zhōng: The result fits the facts and logic, making it natural and understandable.

Definition in Chinese

用于表示在一定前提下，结果可以预料或显然会发生，强调事情的必然性或显然性。yòng yú biǎo shì zài yí dìng qián tí xià jié guǒ ké yǐ yù liào huò xiǎn rán huì fā shēng qiáng diào shì qíng de bì rán xìng huò xiǎn rán xìng

Word origin

The components of 可想而知 (kěxiǎngérzhī, "can be imagined and known") link imagining a result with knowing it, showing that the surrounding facts make the conclusion evident.

Usage tips

  • For general conversation, this expression works best after the relevant circumstances are clear, because using it for a weak guess can sound too certain.

Other meanings

  • conceivableidiom
  • it goes without sayingidiom
  • obviousidiom

Opposites

  • 出乎意料chū hū yì liàounexpectedidiom

Word lists with this word