不满

• Pinyin: bù mǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 (bù) — not; 满 (mǎn) — full, satisfied, content

Meaning

Dissatisfied; discontented; resentful. Implies a specific grievance or complaint.

Stronger than 不高兴 (unhappy) and implies a grievance or complaint about a person, situation, or outcome.

Examples

1. 他对公司的新规定表示不满。 He expressed dissatisfaction with the company's new regulations.
2. 顾客对服务质量很不满。 The customer is very dissatisfied with the quality of service.
3. 她心里有些不满，但没有说出来。 She was somewhat discontented inside but didn't say anything.

Usage Guide

Context: complaints, emotions, feedback, workplace

Tone: negative, dissatisfied

Do Say

• 他们对结果感到不满。(They are dissatisfied with the result.)
• 这次服务让我很不满。(This service left me very dissatisfied.)

Don't Say

• Avoid using 不满 when 不高兴 or 不开心 is more appropriate for simple unhappiness — 不满 implies a specific grievance, not just general low spirits.

Origin & History

Compound of 不 (bù, not) + 满 (mǎn, full, satisfied, content). Literally 'not full/satisfied,' used to express discontent.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal