Meaning and Usage
"不经意" is an adverb meaning 'unintentionally' or 'without deliberate thought.' It describes actions or remarks made without conscious intention or awareness.
Common Contexts
It is often used to describe casual or accidental behaviors, such as glancing, speaking, or revealing something without planning to.
Collocations
- 不经意地 + verb: emphasizes the unintentional nature of the action.
- 不经意间: a common phrase meaning 'inadvertently' or 'without noticing.'
Nuance
Using 不经意 implies the speaker did not plan or mean the action, often softening the impact or indicating a spontaneous moment.
Avoid Confusion
Do not confuse 不经意 with 故意 (deliberately). 不经意 stresses lack of intention, while 故意 implies purposeful action.