Chinese word

忐忑

Pronunciation

Pinyintǎn tè

Meaning

  • adjectiveuneasy

Example

面试前她一直感到忐忑。miàn shì qián tā yì zhí gǎn dào tǎn tè

Before the interview, she felt uneasy the whole time.

Illustration for 忐忑 (uneasy)

More examples

她心里有点忐忑，不太敢先发言。tā xīn lǐ yóu diǎn tǎn tè bú tài gǎn xiān fā yán

She felt a little uneasy and did not really dare to speak first.

Core concept

A mind that keeps shifting uneasily while it waits for an uncertain outcome.

Common phrases

  • 心里有点忐忑xīn lǐ yóu diǎn tǎn tè

    a little uneasy at heart

  • 心里忐忑xīn lǐ tǎn tè

    uneasy at heart

Similar words

不安bù ān: Feeling uneasy because of concern about a future event or its possible result.
紧张jǐn zhāng: Feeling physically or mentally tense in a stressful situation.
担心dān xīn: Feeling concern that an event may not go well.

Definition in Chinese

感到内心惶恐或顾虑，精神难以平静，常表现为心里不踏实。gǎn dào nèi xīn huáng kǒng huò gù lǜ jīng shén nán yǐ píng jìng cháng biǎo xiàn wèi xīn lǐ bú tā shí

Word origin

忐忑 (tǎntè, "uneasy") combines 忐 (tǎn, "uneasy") + 忑 (tè, "uneasy") in a compact paired expression, with the characters' upper and lower forms helping evoke a heart that cannot find a steady place.

Usage tips

  • The word fits the emotional pause before a decision, result, or important encounter, including both anticipation and hesitation.

Other meanings

  • nervousadjective
  • restlessadjective
  • worriedadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 忐忑不安tǎn tè bù ānuneasy and restlessidiom

Word lists with this word