HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #22892, Very Hard
不了了之
bùliǎoliǎozhī
to end up with nothing definite
HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #22892, Very Hard
bùliǎoliǎozhī(bu4liao3liao3zhi1) T4
1to settle a matter by leaving it unsettled
2to end up with nothing definite
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March 24, 2026
不了了之bùliǎoliǎozhī(bu4liao3liao3zhi1)
The idiom 不了了之 means to leave a matter unresolved or to let something end without a clear conclusion. It is often used in contexts where an issue is intentionally avoided or neglected, resulting in ambiguity or lack of closure.
Strokes11Frequency#22892DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, resolving conflicts and reaching consensus is often highly valued, making this idiom a reflection of situations where avoidance leads to unresolved issues, which can be seen in both personal and professional settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person trying to finish a task but keeps getting distracted, eventually leaving it in a state of confusion. The repeated '了' sounds like 'left undone,' while '之' serves as a connector, reminding you that the unresolved state is the focus.
Meanings of 不了了之
bùliǎoliǎozhī(bu4liao3liao3zhi1)
1to settle a matter by leaving it unsettled
2to end up with nothing definite
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About 不了了之
不了了之Simplified
11Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 不了了之
Podcast: 不了了之
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AI Study Notes for 不了了之
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse this phrase with more positive resolutions, as it implies a lack of closure. It is more commonly used in informal contexts. A common collocation is '不了了之的事情' (unresolved matters).
HSK Study Tips
While this idiom isn’t part of the standard HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enrich your comprehension of complex conversations. Focus on the characters and their meanings, as they may appear in other phrases at higher HSK levels.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse this idiom by applying it in contexts where resolution is achieved, such as saying '事情已经不了了之' (the matter has been settled), which is incorrect. The correct usage focuses on unresolved matters.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 不了了之
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How to say to settle a matter by leaving it unsettled in Chinese
“to settle a matter by leaving it unsettled” in Chinese is不了了之bùliǎoliǎozhī
The idiom 不了了之 means to leave a matter unresolved or to let something end without a clear conclusion. It is often used in contexts where an issue is intentionally avoided or neglected, resulting in ambiguity or lack of closure.
When to use 不了了之
Be cautious not to confuse this phrase with more positive resolutions, as it implies a lack of closure. It is more commonly used in informal contexts. A common collocation is '不了了之的事情' (unresolved matters).
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse this idiom by applying it in contexts where resolution is achieved, such as saying '事情已经不了了之' (the matter has been settled), which is incorrect. The correct usage focuses on unresolved matters.
Write 不了了之
不
了
了
之
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Frequently Asked Questions about 不了了之
It's best to avoid using 不了了之 in formal contexts, as it carries a casual tone and implies negligence.
You might consider phrases like '不了了断' or '留有余地', though they may carry slightly different nuances.
Yes, it is commonly used in informal conversations to describe situations where matters are left unresolved.
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