不知不觉 (bù zhī bù jué) — unconsciously, unwittingly, without realizing it
Definition
A set phrase meaning 'before one knows it' — a gradual change the speaker didn't notice. Unlike 自然而然 ('naturally, on its own'), it emphasizes the subject's lack of awareness, not an automatic process.
phrase
unconsciouslyunwittinglywithout realizing it
Examples
- ，不知不觉。Shí jiān guò dé zhēn kuài, bù zhī bù jué yǐ jīng sān nián le.Time flies, and before we know it, three years have passed.
- ，不知不觉。Tā měi tiān jiān chí duàn liàn, bù zhī bù jué shēn tǐ biàn hǎo le.He exercises every day, and without realizing it, his health has improved.
- 不知不觉，。bù zhī bù jué, Wǒ men yǐ jīng dào le xué xiào.Unwittingly, we had already arrived at school.
Appears in
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