不约而同
bù yuē ér tóng
Unplanned simultaneous action · trad. 不約而同
People performing the same action or holding the same opinion without any prior consultation or planning. It describes a spontaneous agreement or a coincidental occurrence where multiple parties act in unison.
What does 不约而同 (bù yuē ér tóng) mean?
不约而同 (bù yuē ér tóng) means "unplanned simultaneous action" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "not arranged yet together."
Character by character
- 不 bù not
- 约 yuē arrange, agree
- 而 ér and, yet
- 同 tóng same, together
When to use it
Most often used for actions or thoughts that happen simultaneously and are unplanned. It applies to situations where individuals independently arrive at the same outcome or conclusion. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
Example
同学们不约而同来到了新华公园。
Tóngxuémen bù yuē ér tóng láidào le xīnhuá gōngyuán.
The students all coincidentally arrived at Xinhua Park.
Pro tip: Highlights the independent nature of the shared action or thought, emphasizing that there was no prior communication or coordination among the individuals involved.
Related idioms
变本加厉 · Intensifying negative behavior不打自招 · Involuntary confession不知不觉 · Unconscious realization
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