不好意思

bùhǎoyìsi

phrase HSK 2 #670

Meanings

Literally 'not good feeling' - used for mild embarrassment or casual apologies.

HSK 1

不好意思，请问洗手间在哪儿？

Bùhǎoyìsi, qǐngwèn xǐshǒujiān zài nǎr?

Excuse me, where is the restroom?

HSK 1

他不好意思说出来。

Tā bùhǎoyìsi shuōchūlái.

He was too embarrassed to say it.

HSK 4

不好意思，我迟到了。

Bùhǎoyìsi, wǒ chídào le.

Sorry, I'm late.

usage

Lighter than 对不起. Use 不好意思 for small inconveniences, 对不起 for real apologies.

culture

Chinese people often say 不好意思 when receiving compliments or gifts - a modest deflection.

不 bù

好 hǎo

意 yì

思 sī