知其然而不知其所以然 zhī qí rán ér bù zhī qí suǒ yǐ rán

DEFINITIONS

  1. to know that it is so but not why it is so (idiom)

CHARACTERS

知 zhī
HSK 2
know, perceive, comprehend
其 qí
HSK 3
his, her, its, their; that
然 rán
HSK 2
yes, certainly; pledge, promise
而 ér
HSK 3
and; and then; and yet; but
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
知 zhī
HSK 2
know, perceive, comprehend
其 qí
HSK 3
his, her, its, their; that
所 suǒ
HSK 2
place, location; numerary adjunct
以 yǐ
HSK 2
by means of; thereby, therefore; consider as; in order to
然 rán
HSK 2
yes, certainly; pledge, promise