Say it in Chinese
How to say excuse me in Chinese
Updated
Excuse me in Chinese is 不好意思. Say it before you ask a stranger something. It is also a light “sorry” for small things, like bumping into someone. For a real apology, people say 对不起 (I’m sorry).
The phrase
What it means
不好意思 works like “excuse me” and like a light “sorry”. Word for word it is close to “I feel a bit embarrassed”.
People use it many times a day:
- Before they interrupt someone or ask a question.
- To get past someone.
- After a small mistake.
- To say no kindly, for example that a seat is taken.
对不起 is stronger. It is a real apology.
How to say it
Say bù hǎo yì si. bù falls. hǎo dips low. yì falls. si is short and soft.
不 (not) stays bù here, because hǎo is not a falling tone.
People say it fast, in two beats: bù hǎo, yì si.
The pinyin shows how people really say it, the same as in the game.
When to use it
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Stopping a stranger
Say 不好意思 first. The person turns and says “hm?” or “what’s up?”. Then ask your question.
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Small apologies
You bump someone with your bag. You take too long at a counter. You ask the same question twice. 不好意思 covers all of these.
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Saying no kindly
People also start a refusal with it. At a crowded night market in the game, a diner says 不好意思，这里有人了 (sorry, this seat is taken) when you ask to sit down.
Other ways to say it
From the game: how people address strangers, and the stronger apology.
- 阿姨 (ā yí) Auntie
A polite way to address a woman older than you. People often say it with 不好意思. Young men are often called 帅哥 (handsome) and young women 美女 (beautiful). On the street this is normal, not flirting.
- 实在实在对不起！ (shí zài shí zài duì bu qǐ!) Really, really sorry!
对不起 is a real apology. In the game a soaked delivery rider says this after he knocks your food out of your hands.
- 没关系 (méi guān xi) It's OK
Say it when someone apologises to you, with either 不好意思 or 对不起.
What people say back
- 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) Excuse me
You stop a young man with earphones on the street.
They may say 嗯？ (ńg?) Hm? (He is listening. Ask your question now.) - 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) Excuse me
You stop an older woman pulling a shopping cart.
They may say 哎，什么事？ (āi, shén me shì?) Oh? What is it? - 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) Excuse me
You stop someone walking fast to work.
They may say 不好意思，我赶时间！ (bù hǎo yì si, wǒ gǎn shí jiān!) Sorry, I'm in a hurry! (They use the same phrase to say no. Ask someone else.) - 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) Excuse me
You stop a tourist and ask the way.
They may say 不好意思，我也不知道。 (bù hǎo yì si, wǒ yě bù zhī dào.) Sorry, I don't know either.
Common mistakes
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Saying “I’m sorry” for everything
对不起 is a real apology. Before every question it sounds too heavy. Use 不好意思 for interruptions and small things.
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Asking before they look at you
On a busy street, people may not notice you are talking to them. Say 不好意思, wait until they look at you, then ask.
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Starting with “hello” in English
Some people will think you want to sell something. 不好意思 makes it clear you need help.
Where it comes up in the game
Finding the metro
Your phone map is confused, so you ask on the street. You stop people with 不好意思, show them your phone and ask 在哪里 (where is it). The first two do not know. The third one does.
The mall
You look for a clothes shop by stopping shoppers and staff with 不好意思. Some point the way. Some praise your Chinese first. Some do not know.
People who say it to you
The hotel receptionist asks for a Chinese ID card, sees you are a foreigner, says 哦，不好意思 (oh, sorry) and asks for your passport. A man in a convenience store says it when he sees you are not the shop assistant.
Questions
How do you say excuse me in Chinese?
Excuse me in Chinese is 不好意思. Say it before you ask a stranger something, and after small mistakes like bumping into someone.
What is the difference between 不好意思 and 对不起?
不好意思 is a light “excuse me” or “sorry” for interruptions and small problems. 对不起 is a real apology for something more serious. In daily life you hear 不好意思 much more often.
How do I answer when someone says sorry in Chinese?
Answer 没关系 (it’s OK). It works after both 不好意思 and 对不起.
Is 请问 the same as 不好意思?
请问 means “may I ask”. It also starts a question to a stranger. 不好意思 is more common in everyday speech and also works as an apology. People often say both: 不好意思，请问 (excuse me, may I ask)…
How do you address a stranger in Chinese?
People address strangers with a polite title: 阿姨 (auntie) for an older woman, 帅哥 (handsome) for a young man, 美女 (beautiful) for a young woman. These are normal everyday words.
Why does 不 keep its falling tone in 不好意思?
不 (not) becomes bú only before a falling tone. In 不好意思 the next syllable is hǎo, which dips, so 不 stays bù.