不假思索

• Pinyin: bù jiǎ sī suǒ
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 = not; 假 = to borrow/rely on; 思 = 田 (field) + 心 (heart), meaning to think; 索 = to search/seek

Meaning

Without hesitation; without thinking; immediately and instinctively.

Describes responding or acting instantly without needing time to think. Can be positive (confident, decisive) or negative (rash, thoughtless) depending on context. Often used for quick verbal responses or reflexive actions.

Examples

1. 她不假思索地答应了这个请求，后来才发现事情没那么简单。 She agreed to the request without thinking, only later realizing things weren't so simple.
2. 他对这些问题对答如流，不假思索就给出了准确答案。 He answered these questions fluently, giving accurate answers without hesitation.
3. 面对危险，他不假思索地冲上去救人。 Facing danger, he rushed forward to save people without a second thought.

Usage Guide

Context: responses, reactions, decisions

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 他不假思索地回答了这个问题。(He answered the question without hesitation.)
• 不假思索就做决定可能会后悔。(Making decisions without thinking might lead to regret.)

Don't Say

• 我不假思索地睡着了。(Falling asleep isn't a decision or response — 不假思索 implies conscious action)

Origin & History

不 (not) + 假 (borrow, rely on) + 思索 (to think, ponder). Literally 'not relying on thinking' — acting without deliberation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated