# 不求甚解

bù qiú shèn jiě

Remain content with a broad or shallow understanding

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Do not seek very deep explanation

**Register:** Evaluative · general

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe reading without pursuing every detail.

Can be reasonable overview or criticism of superficiality.

## Understanding the expression

The phrase says that the reader or learner does not insist on a full explanation of every point. In some contexts this is a practical way to get an overview before returning to details. In others it criticizes stopping with too little understanding. Modern tone depends on purpose. A quick first reading may be enough for orientation, while important decisions usually require checking the details that could change the outcome.

## Examples

第一遍读可不求甚解。

### Traditional Chinese

第一遍讀可不求甚解。

dì yī biàn dú kě bù qiú shèn jiě 。

A first reading can focus on the broad outline.

学安全规则不能不求甚解。

### Traditional Chinese

學安全規則不能不求甚解。

xué ān quán guī zé bù néng bù qiú shèn jiě 。

Safety rules require more than shallow understanding.

他不求甚解，误用了公式。

### Traditional Chinese

他不求甚解，誤用了公式。

tā bù qiú shèn jiě ， wù yòng le gōng shì 。

His shallow understanding led him to misuse the formula.

她先不求甚解地浏览，再逐段研究。

### Traditional Chinese

她先不求甚解地瀏覽，再逐段研究。

tā xiān bù qiú shèn jiě dì liú lǎn ， zài zhú duàn yán jiū 。

She skims first, then studies each section carefully.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%8D%E6%B1%82%E7%94%9A%E8%A7%A3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=204&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [不胜枚举 bù shèng méi jǔ Too numerous to list individually ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-sheng-mei-ju)

- [不同凡响 bù tóng fán xiǎng Remarkably outstanding ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-tong-fan-xiang)

- [不修边幅 bù xiū biān fú Pay little attention to personal appearance ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-xiu-bian-fu)

- [不言而喻 bù yán ér yù Be evident without explanation ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-yan-er-yu)

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