How common it is
不好意思 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say bù hǎo yìsi slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“不好意思”常用于日常生活中，当你不小心打扰到别人或者做错事时可以用这个词表示歉意。
bù hǎo yìsi cháng yòng yú rì chénɡ shēnɡ zhōnɡ ， dǐnɡ yǒu bù xiāo tā rén huò zuò cuò shì shí y可用这个词表示歉意。
"不好意思" is commonly used in daily life when you accidentally disturb someone or make a mistake, to express your apology.
Context note
这个词语常用于社交场合，比如在商店、餐厅或者朋友家做客时。
zhège cíyǔ cháng yònɡ yú jiāo shuō chǎnɡ kào ， bǐ 如在商店、餐厅或者朋友家做客时。
This phrase is often used in social situations, such as when shopping, dining at a restaurant, or visiting friends' homes.
5 examples
不好意思，我打扰你了。
bù hǎo yì si， wǒ dǎ rǎo nǐ le。
Excuse me, I disturbed you.
不好意思，我不小心把水洒了。
bù hǎo yì si， wǒ bù xiǎo xīn bǎ shuǐ sǎ le。
Sorry, I accidentally spilled the water.
不好意思，我可以进来吗？
bù hǎo yì si， wǒ kě yǐ jìn lái ma？
Excuse me, may I come in?
不好意思，我迟到了。
bù hǎo yì si， wǒ chí dào le。
Sorry, I'm late.
不好意思，我不太明白你的意思。
bù hǎo yì si， wǒ bú tài míng bái nǐ de yì sī。
Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean.
5 mini stories
小明在图书馆看书时不小心把书掉在地上了。他不好意思地对管理员说：不好意思，我把它捡起来。
xiǎo míng zài tú shū guǎn kàn shū shí bù xiǎo xīn bǎ shū diào zài dì shàng le。 tā bù hǎo yì si dì duì guǎn lǐ yuán shuō： bù hǎo yì si， wǒ bǎ tā jiǎn qǐ lái。
Xiao Ming accidentally dropped a book on the ground while reading in the library. He said sorry to the librarian and picked it up.
妈妈带小华去餐厅吃饭，小华不小心把汤洒在了桌子上。他不好意思地对妈妈说：不好意思，我来擦干净。
mā ma dài xiǎo huá qù cān tīng chī fàn， xiǎo huá bù xiǎo xīn bǎ tāng sǎ zài le zhuō zi shàng。 tā bù hǎo yì si dì duì mā ma shuō： bù hǎo yì si， wǒ lái cā gān jìng。
Mum took Xiao Hua to a restaurant for dinner. Xiao Hua accidentally spilled soup on the table. He said sorry to Mum and offered to clean it up.
小红在朋友家玩时不小心弄坏了玩具，她不好意思地对朋友说：不好意思，我来帮你修理。
xiǎo hóng zài péng yǒu jiā wán shí bù xiǎo xīn nòng huài le wán jù， tā bù hǎo yì si dì duì péng yǒu shuō： bù hǎo yì si， wǒ lái bāng nǐ xiū lǐ。
Xiao Hong broke a toy accidentally while playing at her friend's house. She said sorry and offered to help fix it.
小李在超市购物时不小心踩到了别人，他不好意思地说：不好意思，对不起。
xiǎo lǐ zài chāo shì gòu wù shí bù xiǎo xīn cǎi dào le bié rén， tā bù hǎo yì si dì shuō： bù hǎo yì si， duì bù qǐ。
Xiao Li stepped on someone in the supermarket by accident. He said sorry: Excuse me, I'm sorry.
老师上课提问时，小刚没有听清楚问题，他不好意思地举手说：不好意思，我没有听清楚。
lǎo shī shàng kè tí wèn shí， xiǎo gāng méi yǒu tīng qīng chǔ wèn tí， tā bù hǎo yì si dì jǔ shǒu shuō： bù hǎo yì si， wǒ méi yǒu tīng qīng chǔ。
When the teacher asked a question in class, Xiao Gang didn't hear it clearly. He raised his hand and said: Excuse me, I didn't understand.