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不翼而飞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
不翼而飞búyì’érfēito disappear without traceHSK 7, unknown, 30 strokes, rank #22864, Very Hard
不翼而飞búyì’érfēito vanish all of a suddenHSK 7, unknown, 30 strokes, rank #22864, Very Hard
不翼而飞búyì’érfēito spread fastHSK 7, unknown, 30 strokes, rank #22864, Very Hard
不翼而飞búyì’érfēito spread like wildfireHSK 7, unknown, 30 strokes, rank #22864, Very Hard
búyì’érfēi(bu2yi4er2fei1)bu yi er fei T4
  1. 1to disappear without trace
  2. 2to vanish all of a sudden
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March 24, 2026

不翼而飞(不翼而飛)búyì’érfēi(bu2yi4er2fei1)

不翼而飞 is an idiom that means something has vanished without a trace or has disappeared suddenly and inexplicably. It can also describe information or news that spreads rapidly, akin to how something might fly away without wings.

Strokes30Frequency#22864DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

This idiom reflects a common sentiment in Chinese culture about the unpredictable nature of life and information. It can often be heard in discussions about gossip or lost items, highlighting the importance of trust and communication in Chinese society.

Memory tip

Imagine a bird that suddenly takes off into the sky without wings ('不翼'). Picture it vanishing in an instant ('而飞'), creating a vivid image of something disappearing suddenly. This image can help you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.

Meanings of 不翼而飞

búyì’érfēi(bu2yi4er2fei1)
1to disappear without trace
2to vanish all of a sudden
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About 不翼而飞

不翼而飞Simplified
不翼而飛Traditional
30Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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Podcast: 不翼而飞

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AI study notes for 不翼而飞

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 不翼而飞 with similar phrases that describe disappearance in different contexts. This idiom is typically used in informal settings to discuss lost items or rapidly spreading rumors. Note that it can convey a sense of surprise and urgency.

HSK Study Tips

While 不翼而飞 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other idioms and expressions about disappearance and speed. Students at higher levels should focus on understanding the imagery and context of idioms, as they enrich language proficiency.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 不翼而飞 by applying it in overly formal contexts, where it may sound out of place. For example, saying '在会议上, 他的想法不翼而飞' is incorrect. Instead, use it in casual conversations about missing objects or rumors.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 不翼而飞

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Idiom spotlight: 不翼而飞

Chengyu origin story
Literal meaning:not wing and fly

Component characters

不bù(negative prefix)
HSK 14 strokes一
View full entry
翼yìalternative name for 絳
HSK 617 strokes羽
View full entry
而érand
HSK 46 strokes而
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飞fēito fly
HSK 23 strokes飞
View full entry

How to say to disappear without trace in Chinese

“to disappear without trace” in Chinese is不翼而飞búyì’érfēi

不翼而飞 is an idiom that means something has vanished without a trace or has disappeared suddenly and inexplicably. It can also describe information or news that spreads rapidly, akin to how something might fly away without wings.

When to use 不翼而飞

Be careful not to confuse 不翼而飞 with similar phrases that describe disappearance in different contexts. This idiom is typically used in informal settings to discuss lost items or rapidly spreading rumors. Note that it can convey a sense of surprise and urgency.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 不翼而飞 by applying it in overly formal contexts, where it may sound out of place. For example, saying '在会议上, 他的想法不翼而飞' is incorrect. Instead, use it in casual conversations about missing objects or rumors.

Write 不翼而飞

不
翼
而
飞

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Frequently asked questions about 不翼而飞

Yes, you can use it to describe a person disappearing suddenly, but it is more commonly used for objects or information.

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