Meanings of 不约而同
By ear
Play it, then pick what 不约而同 means.
About 不约而同
Podcast: 不约而同
Podcast: 不约而同
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 不约而同
This idiom is typically used in informal settings but can also appear in formal writing. A common mistake is to use it in contexts where prior agreement actually exists; instead, it should be used exclusively for coincidental agreement. Be careful with the pronunciation tones, particularly for '不' (bu4) and '同' (tong2).
Though 不约而同 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with other idiomatic expressions and phrases taught at advanced levels. Students should focus on the components of the idiom and practice using it in context to express spontaneous agreements.
Learners often confuse 不约而同 with phrases that imply prior agreement, such as '达成共识' (da2 cheng2 gong4 shi2). Remember, 不约而同 should only be used when actions or thoughts align by chance, without any prior arrangement.
Pronunciation of 不约而同
Drill the tone of 不约而同, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 不约而同 to you
Let me explain 不约而同 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 不约而同 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 不约而同?
Learning Lab
Knowing 不约而同 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component characters
How to say to agree by chance (idiom); taking the same action without prior consultation in Chinese
“to agree by chance (idiom); taking the same action without prior consultation” in Chinese is不约而同
不约而同 is an idiom that describes a situation where two or more people independently arrive at the same conclusion or take the same action without prior discussion. It emphasizes the coincidence of thoughts or actions, highlighting how individuals can be aligned in their decisions despite not having communicated about it.
When to use 不约而同
This idiom is typically used in informal settings but can also appear in formal writing. A common mistake is to use it in contexts where prior agreement actually exists; instead, it should be used exclusively for coincidental agreement. Be careful with the pronunciation tones, particularly for '不' (bu4) and '同' (tong2).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 不约而同 with phrases that imply prior agreement, such as '达成共识' (da2 cheng2 gong4 shi2). Remember, 不约而同 should only be used when actions or thoughts align by chance, without any prior arrangement.
Write 不约而同
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 不约而同 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 不约而同?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Frequently asked questions about 不约而同
No, this idiom specifically refers to coincidental agreement, so it would not be appropriate for formal business agreements where prior discussions are involved.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 不约而同?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.