Definition
This is a resultative complement structure combining 想 (think) with 到 (arrive at/reach) and negated by 不, meaning 'cannot think of' or 'unexpectedly'. It often introduces a surprising fact and can be used as an adverb or in exclamatory phrases. For example, '∼你来！' (I never thought you'd come!).
r.v.
unable to anticipateto not expectused to express surprise at something unexpected
Examples
- 想不到！xiǎng bu dào nǐ huì zài zhè zhǒng dìfang chūxiàn!Fancy seeing you in a place like this!
- 想不到。xiǎng bu dào tā jìngrán méi lái cānjiā zuótiān de jùhuì.I never thought he wouldn't come to yesterday's party.
- 想不到。Zhè jiàn shì zhēn shì xiǎng bu dào.This matter is truly unexpected.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.