不得而知 bùdé’érzhī unknown
unknown; unable to find out
How to remember 不得而知: 不 not + 得 get + 而 and yet + 知 know = unknown.
Characters
How it is used
- Formal set phrase 'unable to know, remains unknown' - 真相如何，不得而知 (zhēnxiàng rúhé, bùdé'érzhī) what the truth is remains unknown.
- Written register; states that something simply can't be ascertained.