Definition
三七二十一 is the multiplication fact "3×7=21", but as an idiom it appears almost exclusively in the fixed pattern 不管三七二十一 (bùguǎn sān qī èr shí yī), meaning "regardless of the consequences, no matter what, without thinking about the details". The phrase comes from a folk belief that 3×7 always equals 21, so "not caring about 3×7=21" means ignoring basic certainties and charging ahead.
idiom
regardless of the consequencesno matter whatwithout considering the details
Examples
- 三七二十一，。Tā bùguǎn sān qī èr shí yī, zhíjiē chōng le jìn qù.He charged right in regardless.
- 三七二十一，。Wǒmen bùguǎn sān qī èr shí yī, xiān bǎ shìqing zuò le zài shuō.Let's just do it first and talk later, no matter what.
- 三七二十一，。Tóuzī bùnéng bùguǎn sān qī èr shí yī, yào zǐxì fēnxī fēngxiǎn.Investing can't be done without thinking — you need to carefully analyze the risks.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.