Chinese word

不太

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù tài

Meaning

  • adverbnot very

Example

这件衣服不太贵。zhè jiàn yī fú bú tài guì

This piece of clothing isn't very expensive.

Illustration for 不太 (not very)

More examples

我不太喜欢跑步。wǒ bú tài xǐ huān pǎo bù

I don't like running very much.

Core concept

A gentle step below a high or expected degree, without making the judgment absolute.

Common phrases

  • 不太喜欢bú tài xǐ huān

    not like very much

  • 不太累bú tài lèi

    not very tired

  • 不太舒服bú tài shū fú

    not very comfortable

Similar words

不怎么bù zěn me: Indicates low frequency or a weak tendency in a soft, conversational way.
不那么bú nà me: Presents a degree or condition as not reaching that level.
不是很bú shì hěn: Expresses a mild judgment that a degree is not high in spoken language.

Definition in Chinese

用于表示某事物在程度上不高或不太符合说话人预期，常见于口语。yòng yú biǎo shì mǒu shì wù zài chéng dù shàng bù gāo huò bú tài fú hé shuō huà rén yù qī cháng jiàn yú kóu yǔ

Word origin

不太 (bùtài, "not very") combines 不 (bù, "not") with 太 (tài, "too; very"), marking a degree that does not reach a high level.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear the first character as a complete no, but this expression usually leaves room for some of the quality or amount to remain, which makes spoken replies less blunt.

Other meanings

  • not reallyadverb
  • not thatadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word