不知所终 unknown end
Explanation
指人的最终结局或下落不明。
Refers to the unknown final outcome or whereabouts of a person.
Origin Story
东汉时期，有个叫向长的隐士，精通《老子》和《易经》，乡里人都很敬佩他的学识。朝廷曾派人征召他去做官，但他都婉言谢绝。有人说，他学问太深，所以变得越来越糊涂。后来，他约上几个老朋友，一起游历泰山、衡山等名山大川，数年后，他不知所终，再也没有人见过他。有人说他隐居深山，也有人说他乘船飘游江湖，还有人说他羽化登仙…向长究竟去了哪里，成了一个千古之谜。他那飘逸洒脱的身影，像一阵风，轻轻地来了，又轻轻地走了，只留下许多美丽的传说流传于世。
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was a recluse named Xiang Chang, who was well-versed in the writings of Laozi and Yi Jing. The people of his village greatly admired his knowledge. The court once sent people to invite him to become an official, but he politely refused each time. Some people said that his knowledge was too profound, so he became more and more confused. Later, he invited a few old friends to travel together to famous mountains such as Mount Tai and Mount Heng. After several years, he disappeared without a trace, and no one ever saw him again. Some say he lived in seclusion in the deep mountains, others say he sailed on rivers and lakes, and still others say he ascended to immortality... Where Xiang Chang actually went remains a historical mystery. His elegant and unrestrained figure, like a gust of wind, came gently and went gently, leaving behind many beautiful legends.
Usage
常用作谓语，表示结局或下落不明。
Often used as a predicate to express an unknown outcome or whereabouts.
Examples
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他离家出走，至今不知所终。
ta li jia chu zou, zhi jin bu zhi suo zhong
He ran away from home and has never been heard from since.
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那支探险队深入原始森林，从此不知所终。
na zhi tan xian dui shen ru yuan shi sen lin, cong ci bu zhi suo zhong
That expedition team went deep into the primeval forest and has since disappeared without a trace.