# 不假思索

bù jiǎ sī suǒ

Respond immediately without pausing to think

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Without relying on deliberation

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Describe an instant reply or spontaneous action.

It can show familiarity or haste; context determines which.

## The image & its use

The expression focuses on the absence of a visible pause for consideration. Someone who knows a subject well may answer immediately, while another person may speak too quickly without checking. Both can be described this way. It therefore does not automatically praise intelligence or criticize carelessness. A sentence should show what led to the immediate response and whether the result was suitable. Deliberate thought and practiced fluency can each be valuable.

## Examples

她不假思索地说出了答案。

### Traditional Chinese

她不假思索地說出了答案。

tā bù jiǎ sī suǒ dì shuō chū le dá àn 。

She gave the answer without a moment's hesitation.

听到邀请，他不假思索地答应了。

### Traditional Chinese

聽到邀請，他不假思索地答應了。

tīng dào yāo qǐng ， tā bù jiǎ sī suǒ dì dā ying le 。

He accepted the invitation immediately.

熟练以后，我能不假思索地读出这句话。

### Traditional Chinese

熟練以後，我能不假思索地讀出這句話。

shú liàn yǐ hòu ， wǒ néng bù jiǎ sī suǒ dì dú chū zhè jù huà 。

With practice, I can read the sentence without pausing.

重要问题不要总是不假思索地回答。

### Traditional Chinese

重要問題不要總是不假思索地回答。

zhòng yào wèn tí bú yào zǒng shì bù jiǎ sī suǒ dì huí dá 。

Do not always answer important questions without thinking first.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1075&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%8D%E5%81%87%E6%80%9D%E7%B4%A2)

## Keep exploring

- [不屈不挠 bù qū bù náo Remain determined despite pressure or setbacks ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-qu-bu-nao)

- [不学无术 bù xué wú shù Ignorant and lacking useful skills ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-xue-wu-shu)

- [不遗余力 bù yí yú lì Put every available effort into something ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-yi-yu-li)

- [乘风破浪 chéng fēng pò làng Advance boldly through difficulties ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/cheng-feng-po-lang)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 不合时宜 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-he-shi-yi) [Next idiom 不见经传 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-jian-jing-zhuan)