不知X的
somehow; for some reason (I cannot say why)
Structure
不知 怎么／怎 的 ， 句子
What it means
Somehow, for some reason: says that something happened and you cannot explain why.
How it is built
不知怎么的／怎的，+ sentence, at the start or right after the subject: 这台电脑不知怎么的，老是自己关机 (Somehow this computer keeps switching itself off).
When to use it
不知怎么的 is everyday; 不知怎的 is more written; 不知道怎么回事 is the chattiest.
Watch out
It is a statement, not a question: no 吗, no question mark. Don’t confuse it with 不知道怎么办 (not knowing what to do).
Examples
不知怎么的，今天一整天都提不起精神。
For some reason I have not been able to get going all day.
看着他走远的背影，我不知怎的，眼睛一下子湿了。
Watching him walk away, somehow my eyes suddenly filled with tears.
这台电脑不知怎么的，老是自己关机。
Somehow this computer keeps switching itself off.
Learn this in Lesson 222 · HSK 9+: 朱自清的散文 (Zhu Ziqing and the modern essay)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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