知其然而不知其所以然 in English zhi1 qi2 ran2 er2 bu4 zhi1 qi2 suo3 yi3 ran2 Meaning

Meanings

  • to know that it is so but not why it is so (idiomatic expression)

Simplified Characters

知 其 然 而 不 知 其 所 以 然

Traditional Characters

知 其 然 而 不 知 其 所 以 然

Pinyin

zhi1 qi2 ran2 er2 bu4 zhi1 qi2 suo3 yi3 ran2

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

知zhi1to know 其qi2his 然ran2correct 而er2and 不bu4(negative prefix) 知zhi1to know 其qi2his 所suo3actually 以yi3old variant of 以[yi3] 然ran2correct