不好意思
bù hǎo yì si
Excuse me
不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) is a very common and versatile phrase in Mandarin Chinese, used for "excuse me" or "I'm sorry." It expresses slight embarrassment, regret for a minor inconvenience, or is used to politely get someone's attention.
When to use it
Neutral and polite. It's softer than 对不起 (duìbuqǐ), which is a stronger "I'm sorry." For asking a question or interrupting, 请问 (qǐngwèn) is more direct. To ask someone to let you pass, use 借过 (jièguò). When someone says 不好意思 to you, you can reply 没关系 (méi guānxi), "it's okay," or 没事 (méi shì), "no problem."
How to pronounce it
Sounds roughly like “boo HOW yee suh.” The first 不 (bù) changes to a rising tone before 好 (hǎo), so it's pronounced “bú hǎo.” The last syllable 思 (si) is usually said lightly (neutral tone).
Other ways to say it
- 请问qǐng wènexcuse me (to ask a question / get attention)
- 借过jiè guòexcuse me (to pass through)
- 对不起duì bù qǐI'm sorry (for a more serious apology)
Examples
不好意思，请问洗手间在哪里？
bù hǎo yì si ， qǐng wèn xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ ？
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
不好意思，我来晚了。
bù hǎo yì si ， wǒ lái wǎn le 。
Excuse me / Sorry, I'm late.
不好意思，打扰一下。
bù hǎo yì si ， dǎ rǎo yí xià 。
Excuse me, may I bother you for a moment?
Pro tip: 不好意思 is generally for minor apologies or polite interruptions. For a more serious apology, use 对不起 (duìbuqǐ). For simply getting attention to ask a question, 请问 (qǐngwèn) is more direct and common.
Related phrases
谢谢 · Thank you对不起 · Sorry不客气 · You're welcome
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