# 不时之需

bù shí zhī xū

An unexpected need

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A need at an unscheduled time

**Traditional Chinese:** 不時之需

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Explain why something useful is kept in reserve.

It concerns possible needs, not a prediction that trouble will occur.

## The image & its use

A spare pencil or a small amount of extra material may sit unused most days. Keeping it available can still be sensible because needs do not always arrive on schedule. This expression names that possible unexpected demand. It often appears with preparation, savings, or something held in reserve. The amount of preparation should suit the situation. A practical spare for a likely need is different from gathering more supplies than can reasonably be used or maintained.

## Examples

书包里多放一支笔，以备不时之需。

### Traditional Chinese

書包裡多放一支筆，以備不時之需。

shū bāo lǐ duō fàng yì zhī bǐ ， yǐ bèi bù shí zhī xū 。

Keep an extra pen in the schoolbag for an unexpected need.

我们留了一些材料，以备不时之需。

### Traditional Chinese

我們留了一些材料，以備不時之需。

wǒ men liú le yì xiē cái liào ， yǐ bèi bù shí zhī xū 。

We kept some materials in reserve in case they were needed unexpectedly.

这把折叠伞可以应付不时之需。

### Traditional Chinese

這把摺疊傘可以應付不時之需。

zhè bǎ zhé dié sǎn kě yǐ yìng fù bù shí zhī xū 。

The folding umbrella can meet an unexpected need.

整理工具时，别忘了保留适合不时之需的备用件。

### Traditional Chinese

整理工具時，別忘了保留適合不時之需的備用件。

zhěng lǐ gōng jù shí ， bié wàng le bǎo liú shì hé bù shí zhī xū de bèi yòng jiàn 。

When organizing tools, keep suitable spare parts for unexpected needs.

## 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=1237&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%8D%E6%99%82%E4%B9%8B%E9%9C%80)

## Keep exploring

- [不知所措 bù zhī suǒ cuò Be at a complete loss what to do ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-zhi-suo-cuo)

- [出其不意 chū qí bù yì Act when the other party least expects it ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-qi-bu-yi)

- [出奇制胜 chū qí zhì shèng Win through an unexpected move ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-qi-zhi-sheng)

- [处心积虑 chǔ xīn jī lǜ Scheme persistently for a calculated purpose ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-xin-ji-lv)

## 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 不识时务 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-shi-shi-wu) [Next idiom 不速之客 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-su-zhi-ke)