Chinese word

不好意思

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù hǎo yì sī

Meaning

  • interjectionsorry

Example

不好意思，我迟到了。bù hǎo yì si wǒ chí dào le

Sorry, I was late.

Illustration for 不好意思 (sorry)

More examples

不好意思，请问洗手间在哪里？bù hǎo yì si qǐng wèn xí shǒu jiān zài ná lǐ

Sorry, where is the restroom?

Core concept

A gentle pause that keeps words kind when a speaker feels embarrassed, bothers someone a little, or wants to ask for something.

Common phrases

  • 不好意思，我迟到了bù hǎo yì si wǒ chí dào le

    Sorry I was late

  • 不好意思，打扰一下bù hǎo yì si dá rǎo yí xià

    sorry to disturb you

  • 不好意思，让你久等了bù hǎo yì si ràng nǐ jiú děng le

    sorry for making you wait

Similar words

对不起duì bù qǐ: A direct apology for causing someone trouble or inconvenience.
请问qǐng wèn: A polite way to get someone's attention before asking a question.

Definition in Chinese

用于表示因小失礼、打扰或害羞而感到不好意思，带有客气和回避意味，口语中极其常见。yòng yú biǎo shì yīn xiǎo shī lǐ dá rǎo huò hài xiū ér gǎn dào bù hǎo yì si dài yǒu kè qì hé huí bì yì wèi kóu yǔ zhōng jí qí cháng jiàn

Word origin

不好意思 (bùhǎoyìsī, "not feel good about it") presents a speaker as unable to feel fully at ease about an action, so the phrase naturally became a polite way to soften a small fault or shy request.

Usage tips

  • In a shop, classroom, or family conversation, it can open a request softly, so it does not mean that a real mistake has already happened.

Other meanings

  • embarrassedadjective
  • hesitateverb

Word lists with this word