Chinese phrase
不好意思，〜 bù hǎo yì si 〜
Meaning
Excuse me ___
When to use it
A polite way to apologize or get attention before speaking. It often introduces a question or request and sounds mild and respectful.
Example dialogue
不好意思，请问地铁站怎么走？ bù hǎo yì si qǐng wèn dì tiě zhàn zěn me zǒu
Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the subway station?
从前面一直走，第二个路口右拐就到地铁站了。 cóng qián miàn yì zhí zǒu dì èr gè lù kǒu yòu guǎi jiù dào dì tiě zhàn le
Keep going straight, and turn right at the second intersection. The subway station is right there.