不得而知

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: bù dé ér zhī
• English Translation: Unknown, unknowable, cannot be known
• Idiom Composition: 「不」（Cannot）＋「得」（To obtain）＋「而」（And (connects clauses)）＋「知」（To know）
• Meaning: Describes a state where there is no way to know something, it cannot be known, or there is insufficient information to draw a conclusion.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「不得而知」 contains the following nuances:

• Lack of information: Describes a state where information about the matter one wishes to know is insufficient or completely absent.
• Lack of means: Indicates that there are no means or methods to obtain the information.
• Uncertainty: Refers to a situation where reliable statements cannot be made due to fragmented or unreliable information.
• Limits of speculation: Means that while speculation is possible, a definitive judgment cannot be made due to lack of confirmation.

3. Usage

「不得而知」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Unknown matters: Describes something that is currently unknown or has not been revealed.
  • Example:「他的真实意图，我们不得而知。」
    （His true intentions are unknown to us.）
• Withholding judgment: Indicates withholding judgment or not rushing to conclusions due to insufficient information.
  • Example:「事情的真相究竟如何，目前还不得而知。」
    （The truth of the matter is still unknown at present.）
• Limits of speculation: Expresses that while speculation is possible, confirmation cannot be obtained.
  • Example:「他是否会出席会议，现在还不得而知。」
    （Whether he will attend the meeting is still unknown for now.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这次事件的真正原因，不得而知。
   （The true cause of this incident remains unknown.）
2. 古代文明消失的原因，至今仍不得而知。
   （The reason for the disappearance of ancient civilizations is still unknown to this day.）
3. 明天的天气会怎样，现在还不得而知。
   （What the weather will be like tomorrow is still unknown for now.）
4. 他为什么突然辞职，我们不得而知。
   （Why he suddenly resigned is unknown to us.）
5. 这项技术的未来发展会如何，目前还不得而知。
   （How this technology will develop in the future is still unknown at present.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• '不得而知' is a relatively formal expression used to objectively describe a situation, excluding the speaker's subjective opinions or emotions.
• Unlike '不知道' (bù zhī dào), which simply means 'don't know', '不得而知' carries a stronger, more objective nuance of 'there is no way to know' or 'it cannot be known'.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 无从得知 (wú cóng dé zhī): No way to know, cannot be known.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 了如指掌 (liǎo rú zhǐ zhǎng): To know something like the back of one's hand, to be thoroughly familiar with.

6. Summary

'不得而知' is an idiom that describes a situation where something cannot be known due to a lack of information or means to obtain it. It is an objective and formal expression often used in written language and formal conversations. By using this idiom appropriately, you can accurately express unknown matters or situations that are difficult to judge.