Definition
谁知 is a fixed verb phrase meaning 'who knows?' or 'who would have thought?' — it's used to express that nobody can predict something, or to mark an unexpected turn of events. It often begins a clause and can carry a tone of surprise, resignation, or rhetorical doubt. Unlike the literal phrase 'who knows?', 谁知 is idiomatic and typically introduces a whole statement.
v.p.
who knows? (expressing uncertainty or doubt)who would have thought? (marking an unexpected outcome)
Examples
- 谁知？shuí zhī jiéguǒ huì shì zhèyàng?Who would have thought the result would be like this?
- ，谁知。Tā yuánběn dǎsuàn qù, shuí zhī línshí gǎibiàn le zhǔyì.He originally planned to go, but who knew? He changed his mind at the last minute.
- 谁知，。shuí zhī míngtiān shìfǒu huì xiàyǔ, háishì dài bǎ sǎn ba.Who knows if it'll rain tomorrow? Better bring an umbrella.
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