seoi4 bat1 zi1誰不知谁不知
Jyutpingseoi4 bat1 zi1
Yalesèuih bāt jī
Definition
Who would have thought; unexpectedly; to one's surprise.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This expression functions as a conjunction to introduce a sudden, unexpected turn of events that contradicts a previous plan or assumption. It carries a slightly more literary or dramatic flair than the common spoken alternative 點知, making it useful for storytelling or emphasizing a sense of irony. While it appears in written contexts, it is perfectly acceptable in spoken Cantonese when you want to highlight a surprising twist in a narrative.
Examples
We planned to go hiking, but who would have thought it would pour with rain.
He is usually very gentle, but who would have thought he gets so scary when angry.
Related words
Common phrases
who would have thought suddenly
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 點知, which is much more frequent in casual daily speech. Using 誰不知 in very informal settings might sound slightly overly dramatic or like you are reading from a script.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
