# 不速之客

bù sù zhī kè

An uninvited or unexpected visitor

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A guest who was not summoned

**Register:** Descriptive · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe an arrival without an invitation.

Can be neutral, humorous, or unwelcome.

## Understanding the expression

The guest arrives without having been called or invited. Modern use can describe a person at the door, an unexpected participant, or even an animal entering a house. The tone depends on the welcome they receive. Some unexpected visitors are pleasant surprises, while others interrupt or cause trouble. The expression concerns the lack of invitation, so it does not automatically accuse the visitor of rudeness or a harmful motive.

## Examples

门口来了一位不速之客。

### Traditional Chinese

門口來了一位不速之客。

mén kǒu lái le yí wèi bù sù zhī kè 。

An unexpected visitor arrived at the door.

院子里的狐狸成了不速之客。

### Traditional Chinese

院子裡的狐狸成了不速之客。

yuàn zi lǐ de hú li chéng le bù sù zhī kè 。

The fox in the yard became an uninvited visitor.

聚餐迎来几位不速之客。

### Traditional Chinese

聚餐迎來幾位不速之客。

jù cān yíng lái jǐ wèi bù sù zhī kè 。

Several uninvited guests joined the meal.

她热情招待了那位不速之客。

### Traditional Chinese

她熱情招待了那位不速之客。

tā rè qíng zhāo dài le nà wèi bù sù zhī kè 。

She warmly welcomed the unexpected visitor.

## 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%E9%80%9F%E4%B9%8B%E5%AE%A2)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=230&webMd=1&la=0)

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