(bù hǎo yì si) - excuse me, sorry (mild); to feel embarrassed in Mandarin
bùhǎoyìsiTraditional: 不好意思
Translation
excuse me, sorry (mild); to feel embarrassed
Word origin
A four-character set phrase, literally 'not good meaning': 不好 'not good' plus 意思 'meaning, sense' (意 'idea' over the heart 心, with 思 'to think'). It conveys mild embarrassment, hence 'excuse me' or 'sorry'.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 不好 (not good) + 意思 (meaning)
Stroke order
不
好
意
思
Examples
，。
Sorry, I'm late.
，？
Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
，。
I feel bad asking you for this favour.
，。
Sorry, I am late.
，遍。
Excuse me, please say that again.
不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) literally means not good meaning and is a versatile social expression. Used as an apology it is milder than 对不起 (duì bu qǐ, I'm sorry) and suitable for small inconveniences. As a preface to a request it functions like excuse me or pardon me. It can also describe feeling embarrassed or awkward about something (我很不好意思, I feel quite embarrassed). Its positive counterpart 好意思 means to have the nerve to (with a slightly reproachful tone).
Where this fits
Used in
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不好意思: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "不好意思" (excuse me, sorry (mild); to feel embarrassed): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 11.