Chinese word

想不到

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiǎng bù dào

Meaning

  • verbcan't think of

Example

这个问题我想不到答案。zhè ge wèn tí wǒ xiǎng bú dào dá àn

I can't think of an answer to this question.

Illustration for 想不到 (can't think of)

More examples

我想不到他会这么做。wǒ xiǎng bú dào tā huì zhè me zuò

I couldn't imagine that he would do this.

Core concept

A mental path fails to reach its destination, whether the destination is an answer or a predicted result.

Common phrases

  • 想不到会xiǎng bú dào huì

    can't imagine it would

  • 想不到答案xiǎng bú dào dá àn

    can't think of an answer

  • 想不到的是xiǎng bú dào de shì

    what's surprising is

Similar words

想不出xiǎng bù chū: Being unable to find the answer or words to say.
没想到méi xiǎng dào: Reacting with surprise to an unexpected fact or result.
想到xiǎng dào: Suddenly remembering or realizing something.

Definition in Chinese

表示暂时想不出答案或理由，也常用来表示对出乎意料的事感到惊讶或意外。biǎo shì zàn shí xiǎng bù chū dá àn huò lǐ yóu yě cháng yòng lái biǎo shì duì chū hū yì liào de shì gǎn dào jīng yà huò yì wài

Word origin

The literal image in 想不到 (xiǎngbùdào, "cannot think of") is thought not reaching its target, a formation that also expresses an outcome beyond expectation.

Usage tips

  • English normally uses separate wording for a blocked idea and a surprising event, whereas conversational Chinese can use one form for both, with the surrounding clause identifying the reading.

Other meanings

  • unexpectedlyadverb
  • who would have thoughtinterjection

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word