知其然而不知其所以然
Traditional form:
知其然而不知其所以然
Pinyin (reading):
zhīqírán'érbùzhīqísuǒyǐrán
Definitions:
- (idiom) to know that it is so but not why it is so
Characters:
- 知 - to know, to perceive, to comprehend
- 其 - his, her, its, their; that
- 然 - certainly; naturally; suddenly
- 而 - and, and then, and yet; but
- 不 - no, not, un-; negative prefix
- 知 - to know, to perceive, to comprehend
- 其 - his, her, its, their; that
- 所 - place, location; "that which", a particle introducing a passive clause
- 以 - according to; so as to; because of; then
- 然 - certainly; naturally; suddenly
Traditional characters:
- 知 - to know, to perceive, to comprehend
- 其 - his, her, its, their; that
- 然 - certainly; naturally; suddenly
- 而 - and, and then, and yet; but
- 不 - no, not, un-; negative prefix
- 知 - to know, to perceive, to comprehend
- 其 - his, her, its, their; that
- 所 - place, location; "that which", a particle introducing a passive clause
- 以 - according to; so as to; because of; then
- 然 - certainly; naturally; suddenly