不假思索

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: bù jiǎ sī suǒ
• English Translation: Without thinking, without hesitation, on the spur of the moment
• Idiom Composition: 「不」（Not）＋「假」（To borrow, to rely on）＋「思」（To think, thought）＋「索」（To search, to ponder）
• Meaning: Describes reacting immediately without needing to think. It refers to acting intuitively or reflexively, without deliberation or consideration.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「不假思索」 contains the following nuances:

• Immediacy: Emphasizes reacting to something immediately, with almost no delay.
• Intuition: Implies acting based on intuition or a sudden insight rather than logical analysis.
• Reflexiveness: Can also describe acting reflexively, almost unconsciously, without conscious judgment.
• Skillfulness: Can also indicate proficiency in a field, allowing one to respond appropriately and naturally without conscious thought.

3. Usage

「不假思索」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Quick response: Describes responding to a question or request immediately.
  • Example:「对于这个问题，他不假思索地给出了答案。」
    （He answered the question without hesitation.）
• Action in an emergency: Describes acting on the spur of the moment or reflexively in a dangerous situation.
  • Example:「看到孩子落水，他不假思索地跳入河中救人。」
    （Seeing the child fall into the water, he unthinkingly jumped into the river to save them.）
• Skilled technique: Describes the ability to act appropriately and naturally without thinking, due to years of experience or training.
  • Example:「这位钢琴家不假思索地弹奏出美妙的乐曲。」
    （The pianist played a beautiful piece of music effortlessly.）

Additional Examples:

1. 面对记者的提问，他不假思索地回答了所有问题。
   （He answered all the reporter's questions without a moment's thought.）
2. 听到有人呼救，他不假思索地跑了过去。
   （Hearing someone cry for help, he ran over without a second thought.）
3. 这位老中医不假思索地开出了药方。
   （The veteran Chinese medicine doctor wrote out a prescription without hesitation.）
4. 她不假思索地拒绝了他的邀请。
   （She rejected his invitation without a second thought.）
5. 看到这个题目，他不假思索地写下了答案。
   （Seeing this problem, he immediately wrote the answer.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Valuing wit and speed: In Chinese culture, being quick-witted and able to respond rapidly is highly valued. '不假思索' is an expression that positively reflects such abilities.
• Contextual judgment: '不假思索' is not always used positively. It can also be used to criticize rash actions or speaking without careful thought.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 脱口而出 (tuō kǒu ér chū): To blurt out something without thinking.
  • 信手拈来 (xìn shǒu niān lái): To do something effortlessly or as if naturally.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 深思熟虑 (shēn sī shú lǜ): To think deeply and consider carefully.
  • 犹豫不决 (yóu yù bù jué): To hesitate and be unable to make a decision.

6. Summary

'不假思索' emphasizes not just being quick but also not going through the thinking process. When using this idiom, it is important to judge from context whether the action is so obvious that it truly 'doesn't require thought' or if it is rash behavior that 'should be thought about but isn't.' Since quick reactions are not always viewed positively in Chinese culture, understanding this cultural nuance is essential when using this idiom.