别扭

彆扭

bièniu

adjective HSK 7 #8,980

Meanings

1 awkward
2 uncomfortable
3 difficult to get along with

Characters

awkward; contrary (variant reading)

Examples

他俩闹别扭了。

Tā liǎ nào bièniu le.

The two of them are having a quarrel.

这把椅子坐着真别扭。

Zhè bǎ yǐzi zuò zhe zhēn bièniu.

This chair is really uncomfortable to sit in.

新鞋穿起来有点别扭。

Xīn xié chuān qǐlái yǒudiǎn bièniu.

The new shoes feel a bit awkward to wear.

Tips

usage

别扭 has three common uses: (1) physically uncomfortable — 坐着别扭; (2) emotionally awkward or uneasy — 心里别扭; (3) at odds with someone — 闹别扭 (to have a falling out). The phrase 闹别扭 is especially common.

mistakes

Note the special pronunciation: bièniu, not biéniǔ. The second syllable is in neutral tone.

Stroke Order

别 bié

扭 niǔ