不知不觉

bù zhī bù jué

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Uncommon

Definitions

1. unconsciously
2. unwittingly

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Word relationships

Related words

2 items

渐渐

jiàn jiàn

gradually

gradually (emphasizes slow change, often used with 不知不觉)

浑然不觉

hún rán bù jué

totally unaware

completely unaware (emphasizes lack of awareness, not gradual process)

Synonyms

1 item

无意识

wú yì shí

unconscious

unconsciously (more psychological, less about gradual change)

Usage notes

Collocations

Often followed by 地 to form an adverbial phrase, especially in formal writing: 不知不觉地 (bùzhī-bùjué de).

Common mistakes

Don't use 不知不觉 with volitional verbs like 学习 or 工作; it implies an unconscious process, not intentional actions.

Example Sentences

1 shown

不知不觉，天已经黑了。

Unconsciously, it had already gotten dark.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 不知不觉

no; not so

not to know

a nap

to feel

unconsciously

to know