How to Say ‘Very sorry / embarrassed’ in Traditional Chinese
很不好意思
hěn bù hǎo yì sī
[huhn boo how ee suh]
💬 Usage Tip: [不好意思] often means "sorry" or "excuse me," not literally "not good meaning." Here [很] doesn't necessarily mean "very" so much as making the adjective phrase sound complete and natural.
Phrase Breakdown
很
hěn
[huhn]
very
An adverb meaning very; it often softens or links adjectives in Mandarin.
我很不好意思讓你等。
I feel very embarrassed to have kept you waiting.
不好意思
bù hǎo yì sī
[boo how ee suh]
feel embarrassed; excuse me; sorry
A common polite phrase used to apologize, show embarrassment, or say excuse me.
今天遲到了，真不好意思。
I was late today, I'm really sorry.
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