倒霉
dǎoméi
The English phrase "unlucky" is translated into Chinese as 倒霉 (dǎoméi).
倒霉 is used to describe a specific instance of bad luck or a streak of misfortune rather than a permanent character trait. Another way to express the idea of not having luck or having no luck is 不走运, which literally translates to not having luck.
Meaning: having ill luck (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 倒霉 literally breaks down into 倒 (to fall/topple) and 霉 (mold), suggesting a sense of things falling apart or becoming rotten.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because 倒霉 functions as an adjective, you should use an adverb of degree like 很 (hěn, very) instead of the verb 'to be' when describing someone as unlucky.
How do you pronounce it?
dǎoméi
Did you know?
- The character 霉 refers to mold or mildew, linking the concept of bad luck to the dampness and decay that ruined stored grains in ancient China.
- There is a related term 走霉运 which describes the act of 'walking through' a period of bad luck, treating misfortune as a physical path.
- Chinese culture often pairs the idea of being 倒霉 with the belief in 'qi' or energy flow, where bad luck is seen as a blockage or imbalance of energy.
Examples in context
- 我真的很倒霉！How unlucky I am!This sentence is useful for expressing how unlucky you feel using 倒霉.Tatoeba #819400 by Martha, translation #36100 by CM
- 我今天真倒霉，上班迟到了。I'm really unlucky today. I was late for work.
- 今天真倒楣，买彩票竟然没中奖。Today is really unlucky, I didn't win any prize even though I bought a lottery ticket.
- 这个月真衰，手机丢了，车又坏了。This month is really unlucky, I lost my phone, and my car broke down.
- 今天真是太倒霉了。Jīntiān zhēnshi tài dǎoméi le.Today is really unlucky.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a missed bus.
- 梓涵 Zihan梓涵：我刚错过最后一班车，太倒霉了。Wǒ gāng cuòguò zuìhòu yī bān chē, tài dǎoméi le.I just missed the last bus, how unlucky.
- 伟 Wei伟：别难过，我可以开车送你回家。Bié nánguò, wǒ kěyǐ kāichē sòng nǐ huíjiā.Don't be sad, I can drive you home.
- 梓涵 Zihan梓涵：真的吗？你真是我的救星！Zhēnde ma? Nǐ zhēnshì wǒ de jiùxīng!Really? You are truly my lifesaver!
- 伟 Wei伟：没关系，快上车吧。Méiguānxì, kuài shàngchē ba.No problem, get in the car.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
