可想而知

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: kě xiǎng ér zhī
• English Translation: Easy to imagine, goes without saying, stands to reason
• Idiom Composition: 「可」（can, able to）＋「想」（to imagine, to think）＋「而」（and then）＋「知」（to know, to realize）
• Meaning: Self-evident without requiring explanation, easily understood through thought alone. Describes situations where results or conclusions can be easily inferred from known facts or circumstances.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「可想而知」 contains the following nuances:

• Obviousness: Conveys that something is obvious without needing to be stated and is naturally understood through common sense.
• Ease of Inference: Indicates that results or conclusions can be easily drawn from given situations or information.
• Omission of Explanation: Means that detailed explanations can be omitted because the matter is self-evident.

3. Usage

「可想而知」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Predicting Outcomes: Used when stating an outcome that is naturally expected from a certain situation.
  • Example:「他每天熬夜学习，成绩优秀可想而知。」
    （He studies all night every day, so it's no wonder he gets excellent grades.）
• Explaining Situations: Describes a situation that is easy to imagine.
  • Example:「在沙漠中迷路，没有水和食物，他的处境可想而知。」
    （Lost in the desert, without water or food, his predicament is easy to imagine.）
• Implying Reasons: Implies that the reason for a certain matter is self-evident.
  • Example:「他平时不努力，考试不及格可想而知。」
    （He doesn't usually work hard, so it's understandable that he failed the exam.）

Additional Examples:

1. 连续下了三天大雨，河水暴涨，发生洪灾可想而知。
   （It rained heavily for three consecutive days, the river swelled, and it's easy to imagine that floods occurred.）
2. 他从小就喜欢音乐，长大后成为一名音乐家可想而知。
   （He has loved music since he was a child, so it's no surprise that he became a musician when he grew up.）
3. 这么晚了，路上又没有路灯，她一个人回家，害怕的心情可想而知。
   （It's so late, and there are no streetlights on the road. She's going home alone, so her fear is understandable.）
4. 比赛前他受伤了，这次比赛の結果可想而知。
   （He was injured before the game, so the outcome of this game is predictable.）
5. 他平时对人很热情，乐于助人，他在单位的人缘可想而知。
   （He is usually very warm and helpful to people, so his popularity at work is easy to imagine.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Chinese Inferential Expressions: Chinese has a rich variety of expressions for inference and speculation. "可想而知" is one such expression, reflecting the Chinese language's emphasis on logical thinking.
• "可想而知" is not always used in a positive sense. It can also be used to infer negative outcomes. Its meaning must be interpreted according to the context.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 不言自明 (bù yán zì míng): Self-evident, obvious without explanation.
  • 显而易见 (xiǎn ér yì jiàn): Obvious at a glance, clearly visible.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 难以置信 (nán yǐ zhì xìn): Hard to believe, incredible.
  • 不可思议 (bù kě sī yì): Inconceivable, unimaginable, incredible.

6. Summary

"可想而知" is a common inferential expression in Chinese. Using this idiom can simplify explanations and add rhythm to writing. It also encourages logical thinking in the listener or reader. However, it can sometimes carry connotations of sarcasm or criticism depending on the context, so care must be taken when using it.