Chinese word

不三不四

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù sān bù sì

Meaning

  • adjectiveshady

Example

他看起来很不三不四，别跟他来往。tā kàn qǐ lái hěn bù sān bú sì bié gēn tā lái wǎng

He looks shady, so don't associate with him.

Illustration for 不三不四 (shady)

More examples

那个人言行不三不四，大家都保持距离。nà ge rén yán xíng bù sān bú sì dà jiā dōu bǎo chí jù lí

That person's words and actions are shady, so everyone keeps their distance.

Core concept

A person or behavior that falls outside accepted standards, seeming neither respectable nor trustworthy.

Common phrases

  • 言行不三不四yán xíng bù sān bú sì

    shady words and actions

  • 看起来不三不四kàn qǐ lái bù sān bú sì

    look shady

Similar words

可疑kě yí: Seeming untrustworthy because something feels unnatural or wrong.
不正经bú zhèng jīng: Showing an unserious attitude and a lack of proper manners.
不体面bù tǐ miàn: Looking or behaving undignified and likely to cause embarrassment.
低俗dī sú: Vulgar, lacking refinement and good taste.

Definition in Chinese

形容人或行为既不端庄也不合情理，给人不可靠、下作或可疑的感觉，常用于日常口语。xíng róng rén huò xíng wéi jì bù duān zhuāng yě bù hé qíng lǐ gěi rén bù kě kào xià zuò huò kě yí de gǎn jué cháng yòng yú rì cháng kóu yǔ

Word origin

不三不四 (bùsānbùsì, "not proper or respectable") pairs 不 (bù, "not") with the numbers 三 (sān, "three") and 四 (sì, "four") to picture something that fits no proper category or order.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this adjective can judge clothing, manners, or conduct and often sounds insulting when aimed directly at a person, so a neutral description is safer in formal settings.

Other meanings

  • suspiciousadjective
  • vulgaradjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word