过意不去

• Pinyin: guò yì bù qù
• Hanzi breakdown: 过 = to pass; 意 = 心 (heart) + 音 (sound) — inner feeling or intention; 不去 = cannot go through

Meaning

To feel guilty or apologetic; to feel that one's conscience is uneasy due to owing someone.

Expresses a feeling of moral discomfort or guilty conscience arising from having received too much from others, or having caused inconvenience to someone. Used to express sincere apology or reluctance to impose. A socially important phrase for managing reciprocal obligations.

Examples

1. 你专程从外地赶来帮我，真让我过意不去，感激不尽。 You came all the way from out of town to help me—I feel terrible putting you out, and I’m truly grateful.
2. 每次去邻居家借东西，她都觉得过意不去，总想着怎么还人情。 Every time she borrows something from a neighbor, she feels bad about it and keeps thinking about how to repay the favor.
3. 麻烦你们跑了这么多路，实在过意不去，请大家留下来吃顿便饭。 I feel awful making you travel so far—please stay and have a simple meal with us.

Usage Guide

Context: social, interpersonal, apology, gratitude

Tone: humble

Do Say

• 你已经帮了我这么多忙，我真的过意不去，下次一定要让我请你吃饭。(You've helped me so much already — I really feel bad about it. Next time you must let me treat you to a meal.)
• 耽误了您宝贵的时间，实在过意不去，请您谅解。(I am truly sorry for taking up your precious time — please accept my apologies.)

Don't Say

• 他做错事后过意不去就算了 — 过意不去 expresses an ongoing guilty feeling, not a completed resolution; combine it with remedial action rather than presenting it as sufficient

Origin & History

过 (to pass, to get through) + 意 (intention, heart, conscience) + 不去 (cannot get through) — one's conscience cannot pass through untroubled

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal