Definition
不为人知 is a fixed four-character expression (成语-like) meaning 'not known to anyone' or 'unknown to the public'. It functions as a verb phrase or predicate, often describing a fact, event, or person that remains hidden from general knowledge. You can use it attributively before a noun with 的 (e.g., 不为人知的秘密 'a secret unknown to anyone') or as a predicate (e.g., 这件事不为人知 'this matter is unknown to anyone').
v
unknown to anyonenot known to the public
Examples
- 不为人知。Zhège mìmì yìzhí bù wéi rén zhī.This secret has always been unknown to anyone.
- 不为人知。Tā yǒu yí gè bù wéi rén zhī de shēnfèn.He has an identity unknown to anyone.
- 不为人知。Nà duàn lìshǐ zhìjīn bù wéi rén zhī.That period of history remains unknown to the public to this day.
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