Chinese word

美中不足

Pronunciation

Pinyinměi zhōng bù zú

Meaning

  • idiomthe only drawback

Example

这份礼物很好，美中不足是包装有点破。zhè fèn lǐ wù hěn hǎo měi zhōng bù zú shì bāo zhuāng yóu diǎn pò

This gift is very nice; the only drawback is that the wrapping is a little torn.

Illustration for 美中不足 (the only drawback)

More examples

这本书内容丰富，美中不足在于插图太少。zhè běn shū nèi róng fēng fù měi zhōng bù zú zài yú chā tú tài shǎo

This book is rich in content; the only drawback is that it has too few illustrations.

Core concept

A pleasing whole with one noticeable flaw that keeps it from being perfect.

Common phrases

  • 美中不足在于měi zhōng bù zú zài yú

    the only drawback is

Similar words

瑕不掩瑜xiá bù yǎn yú: The main good qualities remain evident despite the presence of flaws.
不无遗憾bù wú yí hàn: An evaluation is favorable but acknowledges something disappointing.

Definition in Chinese

用来表示整体很好，但存在唯一的缺点。yòng lái biǎo shì zhéng tǐ hěn hǎo dàn cún zài wéi yī de quē diǎn

Word origin

美 (měi, "beautiful") + 中 (zhōng, "within") + 不足 (bùzú, "not enough") presents something good overall with a lack inside it.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, it commonly introduces a mild reservation after praise, so a complaint sounds balanced rather than wholly negative.

Other meanings

  • weaknessidiom

Opposites

Word lists with this word