不好意思

• 拼音: bù hǎo yì si
• 汉字拆解: 不 (bù) — not; 好 (hǎo) — good; 意思 (yìsi) — meaning, sense, feeling

含义

Sorry; excuse me; to feel embarrassed. Essential for polite social interaction in Chinese.

A versatile expression used to apologize mildly, to excuse oneself, or to express awkwardness. Milder than 对不起, which is used for genuine apologies.

例句

1. 不好意思，我来晚了一点。
2. 他不好意思开口请求帮助。
3. 不好意思，请问洗手间在哪里？

用法指南

语境: apologies, requests, social interaction, politeness

语气: polite, humble

正确说法

• 不好意思，麻烦你了。(Sorry to bother you.)
• 不好意思，我能问你一个问题吗？(Excuse me, may I ask you a question?)

错误说法

• Avoid using 不好意思 in very serious apologies — for genuine remorse, use 对不起; 不好意思 is better suited for minor inconveniences or mild social awkwardness.

起源与历史

Literally means 'not good meaning/face' — 不 (not) + 好意思 (comfortable showing one's face). Conveys a sense of social awkwardness or mild shame.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal