不好意思
bùhǎoyìsi
The English phrase 'excuse me' can be expressed in Mandarin using several forms depending on the context. If unsure, use 不好意思 (bùhǎoyìsi). Wiktionary also lists 對不起 / 对不起 (duìbùqǐ) and 抱歉！ (bàoqiàn!).
Meaning: sorry, as apology (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 不好意思 | bùhǎoyìsi |
| 對不起 / 对不起 | duìbùqǐ |
| 抱歉！ | bàoqiàn! |
The phrase is used to express an apology or to get someone's attention. In a polite context, 不好意思 is the standard way to say 'excuse me' when you are trying to pass someone in a crowd or when asking a stranger a question.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ in intensity and purpose. 不好意思 is used for minor inconveniences or to politely get someone's attention. In contrast, 對不起 / 对不起 is a more serious apology used when you have actually caused offense or harm or for more significant mistakes. 抱歉！ is a more formal way to express being apologetic compared to the colloquial 不好意思.
How do you pronounce it?
bùhǎoyìsi
Did you know?
- The characters in 對不起 literally translate to 'cannot face' or 'cannot meet', implying that the speaker is too ashamed to look the other person in the eye.
- The word 抱歉 contains the character 歉, which originally referred to a shortage of grain or a failed harvest.
- 不好意思 is often used as a polite way to decline an invitation, effectively acting as a 'soft no' to avoid direct confrontation.
Examples in context
- 不好意思，但我有点恶心。Excuse me, but I feel sick.This sentence shows how to use 不好意思 to express feeling sick.Tatoeba #9956880 by GlossaMatik, translation #51488 by CK
- 不好意思，請問你有筆嗎？Excuse me, do you have a pen?This sentence demonstrates using 不好意思 to politely ask a stranger a question.Tatoeba #13867422 by LeviHighway, translation #4013815 by CK
- 不好意思，我有点儿不舒服。Excuse me, I'm not feeling very well.This sentence shows how to use 不好意思 when expressing physical discomfort.Tatoeba #4878943 by musclegirlxyp, translation #10726364 by DJ_Saidez
- Qǐngwèn, nín néng bāng wǒ yī xià mɑ? (请问，您能帮我一下吗?)Excuse me, can you help me for a moment?
- Qǐnɡwèn, nín huì shuō Yīnɡyǔ mɑ? (请问，您会说英语吗?)Excuse me, do you speak English?
- Láojià (劳驾)Excuse me.
- Bù hǎoyìsi (不好意思)Sorry/Excuse me.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zhiqiang accidentally bumps into Yuting in a crowded hallway.
- 志强 Zhiqiang不好意思，我没看到你。Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ méi kàndào nǐ.Excuse me, I didn't see you.
- 雨婷 Yuting没关系，我不介意。Méiguānxì, wǒ bù jièyì.It's okay, I don't mind.
- 志强 Zhiqiang真的不好意思，你没事吧？Zhēn de bù hǎoyìsi, nǐ méishì ba?I'm really sorry, are you alright?
- 雨婷 Yuting我没事，谢谢你的关心。Wǒ méishì, xièxiè nǐ de guānxīn.I'm fine, thank you for asking.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “excuse me” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
