不经意 bùjīngyì not paying attention
not paying attention; carelessly; by accident
How to remember 不经意: 不 not + 经 go through + 意 idea = not paying attention.
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How it is used
- Inadvertently, without paying attention - 我不经意间说漏了嘴 (wǒ bùjīngyì jiān shuōlòu le zuǐ) I let it slip without thinking.
- Often 不经意间 or 不经意地; describes casual, unintentional actions or offhand remarks.
- Contrast 故意 (gùyì, on purpose): 不经意 is the accidental, low-attention opposite, milder than 粗心 (careless with blame).