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可想而知 (kě xiǎng ér zhī) — it is obvious that...; as one can well imagine...

Definition

A written set phrase meaning 'one can well imagine' — used at the start of a sentence to introduce an obvious conclusion from context. Slightly more literary than 显而易见; emphasizes that the conclusion follows inevitably from what was just said.

phrase
it is obvious that...as one can well imagine...

Examples

  • 可想而知，。
    kě xiǎng ér zhī, Tā tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xi hòu yí dìng hěn gāo xìng.
    As one can well imagine, he must be very happy after hearing this news.
  • 可想而知，。
    kě xiǎng ér zhī, Zhè ge xiàng mù xū yào hěn duō shí jiān hé jīng lì.
    It is obvious that this project requires a lot of time and energy.
  • 可想而知，，。
    kě xiǎng ér zhī, Méi yǒu zú gòu de zhǔn bèi, kǎo shì hěn nán tōng guò.
    As one can well imagine, without adequate preparation, it is very difficult to pass the exam.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
丂
丂kǎo可kě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

可 pairs 口 (mouth) with 丂 as a sound part; it is tied to air from the mouth, perhaps singing.

Open 可 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart, mind
Sound part声符shēngfú
相
相xiāng想xiǎng
Same sound today

想 has 心 (heart, mind) below 相 (to look at); the shape shows the mind looking at or considering something, and 相 also gives the sound.

Open 想 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 而 is a picture of a beard.

Open 而 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

An early form of 知 showed 大 (adult), 口 (mouth), and 子 (child): an adult speaking to a child to pass on knowledge. The 子 part was dropped, and the 大 part changed shape.

Open 知 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Idioms & Set PhrasesThinking & Cognition

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.