不假思索

bùjiǎ-sīsuǒ

(idiom) to act without taking time to think; to react instantly; to fire from the hip

HSK 7

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"不假思索" literally means "without pretending to think" and is used to describe actions or responses made immediately and instinctively, without hesitation or deliberate thought. It often implies confidence or decisiveness.

Common Contexts

This phrase is frequently used to describe quick answers, spontaneous decisions, or reflexive reactions in daily conversation or storytelling.

Collocations and Patterns

Nuance and Register

The phrase carries a neutral to slightly positive tone, suggesting decisiveness rather than rashness. It is more formal than colloquial expressions like "马上" or "立刻".

Common Confusion

Do not confuse 不假思索 with impulsive or careless actions; it usually implies a confident or natural response rather than reckless behavior.

Example Sentences

他不假思索地回答了老师的问题。

Tā bùjiǎ-sīsuǒ de huídále lǎoshī de wèntí.

He answered the teacher's question without thinking.

面对突发状况,她不假思索地采取了行动。

Miànduì tūfā zhuàngkuàng, tā bùjiǎ-sīsuǒ de cǎiqǔle xíngdòng.

Faced with an emergency, she acted without hesitation.

他不假思索地拒绝了那个提议。

Tā bùjiǎ-sīsuǒ de jùjuéle nàgè tíyì.

He rejected the proposal without a second thought.