难以置信
nányǐzhìxìn
In Mandarin, unbelievable is 难以置信 (nányǐzhìxìn).
The term is used to describe something that is incredible.
Meaning: incredible (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 难 (hard), 以 (to use/by means of), 置 (to place/set) and 信 (belief/trust), which literally translates to 'hard to place/set in belief'.
Which one should you use?
难以置信 is a formal term for unbelievable, and 令人难以置信 is another formal expression that means unbelievable. Additionally, the formal term 匪夷所思 can be used to imply that something is beyond conventional thinking or logical comprehension.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 难以置信 as an attributive adjective to modify a noun, add the particle 的 (de) after it to form 难以置信的.
How do you pronounce it?
nányǐzhìxìn
Did you know?
- The formal expression 匪夷所思 used for 'unbelievable' contains the character 匪 (fěi), which in modern Mandarin is primarily used to mean 'bandit' or 'robber'.
- In casual conversation, speakers often replace the formal 难以置信 with 不可思议 (bùkěsīyì). This phrase originally described the mystery of the Buddhist Dharma as being 'unthinkable' to the human mind.
- In casual spoken Mandarin, rather than using the formal 难以置信, people often use '太神了' (tài shén le) to mean 'that's unbelievable/miraculous', literally saying 'too god-like'.
Examples in context
- 难以置信！Unbelievable!This example shows how to use 难以置信 as an exclamation.Tatoeba #4505070 by dongwang, translation #268828 by CM
- 他的成绩实在是难以置信！His grades are truly unbelievable!
- 这个消息令人难以置信！This news is unbelievable!
- 这个计划太匪夷所思了！This plan is incredibly unbelievable!
- 这件事真的太不可思议了！This matter is truly unbelievable!
- 天啊！这怎么可能？Oh my! How is this possible?
- 这真是件难以置信的事。Zhè zhēn shì jiàn nányǐ zhìxìn de shì.This is truly an unbelievable thing.
- 他的进步快得令人难以置信。Tā de jìnbù kuài de lìng rén nányǐ zhìxìn.His progress is incredibly fast.
Example conversation
Yuting tells Haoran about a surprising lottery win.
- 雨婷 Yuting我朋友中了大奖！Wǒ péngyǒu zhòngle dàjiǎng!My friend won the lottery!
- 浩然 Haoran这太难以置信了。Zhè tài nányǐ zhìxìn le.That is unbelievable.
- 雨婷 Yuting我也觉得很惊讶。Wǒ yě juéde hěn jīngyà.I feel very surprised too.
- 浩然 Haoran他打算怎么花这笔钱？Tā dǎsuàn zěnme huā zhè bǐ qián?How does he plan to spend the money?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
