不约而同 bùyuē’értóng to take the same action without prio
(idiom) (of two or more people) to take the same action without prior consultation; (usually used adverbially) all (or both) of them, independently; as if by prior agreement
How to remember 不约而同: 不 not + 约 make an appointment + 而 and yet + 同 same = to take the same action without prio.
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How it is used
- Several people do the same thing independently, as if by agreement - 大家不约而同地鼓起掌来 (dàjiā bùyuē'értóng de gǔ qǐ zhǎng lái) everyone burst into applause at once, without prompting.
- Used adverbially; the whole point is the lack of prior consultation, so the subject is always two or more people.
- Don't use it for a single person or for planned coordination - the coincidence of independent minds is the meaning.