不好意思
bù hǎoyìsi
sorry / excuse me
不好意思 is the most versatile everyday apology and attention-getter. Use it to squeeze through a crowd, ask a stranger a question, or soften a minor mistake — it is lighter than 对不起.
Example sentences
不好意思，让一下。
Bù hǎoyìsi, ràng yíxià.
Excuse me, let me pass.
不好意思，请问现在几点了？
Bù hǎoyìsi, qǐngwèn xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?
Sorry, what time is it now?
How to use 不好意思 in practice
不好意思 is a greetings item that is easiest to learn inside a complete sentence. Read it with the pinyin bù hǎoyìsi, then connect it to the meaning “sorry / excuse me” before trying to use it from memory. The examples on this page show the phrase in context: 不好意思，让一下。 / 不好意思，请问现在几点了？.
When you practice 不好意思, do not stop at recognition. Say one example aloud, swap in a new person, place, object, or time word, and then use the phrase in a short answer. This turns a glossary entry into real Mandarin output and exposes word-order or pronunciation mistakes quickly.
Common learner mistake
A common learner mistake is to memorize 不好意思 only as “sorry / excuse me” and then translate word by word from English. Instead, learn the whole chunk with the words around it. Notice which nouns, verbs, measure words, or polite markers appear before and after the phrase, and copy that pattern in your own sentence.
Mini practice prompt
Practice prompt: open Chinese speaking practice, start a short conversation, and use 不好意思 naturally in your first or second reply. If the sentence feels awkward, compare it with the examples above and try again with a smaller sentence.
Memory tip: review 不好意思 tomorrow by covering the English meaning, reading only bù hǎoyìsi, and producing a sentence before checking the examples. Active recall helps this word survive beyond one reading session.
Practice related pages
FAQ
When should I use 不好意思 instead of 对不起?
Use 不好意思 for minor social friction like bumping into someone or interrupting. Use 对不起 for more serious apologies like being late or making a real mistake.
How can I remember 不好意思 faster?
Say 不好意思 inside a full sentence, change one detail, and repeat it in a realistic prompt. The combination of sound, meaning, and context is stronger than memorizing the translation alone.
Can I use 不好意思 in conversation practice?
Yes. Start with the example sentence, then use 不好意思 in a short AI conversation so you can see whether the surrounding word order and tone feel natural.
Published by AI Chinese Coach