Word

不足 (bù zú) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 5

Meaning of 不足

名 míng noun

insufficiency

睡眠不足会影响健康。

shuì mián bù zú huì yǐng xiǎng jiàn kāng

Insufficient sleep affects health.

Word breakdown

不 bù — not, negation

1 不客气 bú kè qi — you're welcome HSK 1
- 不 not, negation marker
- 客 guest, polite (being formal as a guest would)
- 气 manner, attitude, air (of behavior)
Example

不客气，这是我应该做的。

bú kè qi zhè shì wǒ yīng gāi zuò de

You're welcome, it's what I should do.
2 不要 bú yào — don't HSK 1
- 不 negation, expressing prohibition
- 要 imperative mood marker, forming a command
Example

不要担心，一切都会好的。

bú yào dān xīn yí qiè dōu huì hǎo de

Don't worry, everything will be fine.
3 对不起 duì bu qǐ — sorry HSK 1
- 对 to face, toward
- 不 not
- 起 rise, able to face
Example

我真的对不起大家。

wǒ zhēn de duì bu qǐ dà jiā

I'm really sorry to everyone.
4 不好意思 bù hǎo yì si — embarrassed; sorry; excuse me HSK 2
- 不 not (negation)
- 好 good; easy
- 意 meaning; intention (first part of 意思)
- 思 thought; meaning (second part of 意思)
Example

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, may I ask where the restroom is?
5 不错 bú cuò — pretty good HSK 2
- 不 not
- 错 wrong
Example

今天天气不错。

jīn tiān tiān qì bú cuò

The weather is pretty good today.

Show more (+166)

6 不久 bù jiǔ — soon HSK 3
- 不 not
- 久 long (time)
Example

他不久就会回来。

tā bù jiǔ jiù huì huí lái

He will come back soon.
7 不但 bú dàn — not only HSK 3
- 不 not
- 但 only, merely
Example

这个菜不但好吃，而且很便宜。

zhè ge cài bú dàn hǎo chī ér qiě hěn pián yi

This dish is not only delicious, but also very cheap.
8 不同 bù tóng — different HSK 3
- 不 not (negation)
- 同 same, identical
Example

每个人的想法都不同。

měi gè rén de xiǎng fǎ dōu bù tóng

Everyone's thoughts are different.
9 不用 bú yòng — need not HSK 3
- 不 not
- 用 need
Example

你不用担心，一切都会好的。

nǐ bú yòng dān xīn yí qiè dōu huì hǎo de

You need not worry, everything will be fine.
10 不行 bù xíng — won't do HSK 3
- 不 not (negation)
- 行 okay, acceptable, workable
Example

这个方法不行，我们需要换一个。

zhè ge fāng fǎ bù xíng wǒ men xū yào huàn yí ge

This method won't do, we need to switch to another one.
11 不见 bú jiàn — not see; disappear; be missing HSK 3
- 不 not; no
- 见 to see; to perceive
Example

我的钥匙不见了。

wǒ de yào shi bú jiàn le

My keys have disappeared.
12 差不多 chà bu duō — almost HSK 3
- 差 to differ, difference
- 不 not
- 多 much, many
Example

我差不多完成了作业。

wǒ chà bu duō wán chéng le zuò yè

I've almost finished my homework.
13 不仅 bù jǐn — not only HSK 4
- 不 not (negation particle)
- 仅 only, merely
Example

他不仅聪明，而且勤奋。

tā bù jǐn cōng míng ér qiě qín fèn

He is not only smart but also hardworking.
14 不便 bú biàn — inconvenient HSK 4
- 不 not
- 便 convenient
Example

这个时间对我很不便。

zhè ge shí jiān duì wǒ hěn bú biàn

This time is very inconvenient for me.
15 不光 bù guāng — not only HSK 4
- 不 not (negation marker)
- 光 only, merely, just
Example

他不光会说中文，还会说英文。

tā bù guāng huì shuō zhōng wén hái huì shuō yīng wén

He not only speaks Chinese, but also speaks English.
16 不够 bú gòu — not enough HSK 4
- 不 not
- 够 enough
Example

他学习不够努力。

tā xué xí bú gòu nǔ lì

He doesn't study hard enough.
17 不如 bù rú — not as good as; might as well HSK 4
- 不 not (negation)
- 如 as good as, equal to
Example

他的成绩不如我。

tā de chéng jì bù rú wǒ

His grades are not as good as mine.
18 不得不 bù dé bù — have to HSK 4
- 不 not (first negation)
- 得 can, able to
- 不 not (second negation, creating necessity)
Example

我不得不承认你是对的。

wǒ bù dé bù chéng rèn nǐ shì duì de

I have to admit you are right.
19 不必 bú bì — need not HSK 4
- 不 not
- 必 must
Example

不必客气，请随便坐。

bú bì kè qi qǐng suí biàn zuò

No need to be polite, please sit anywhere.
20 不断 bú duàn — continuously HSK 4
- 不 not (negation particle)
- 断 break, stop, cease
Example

科技不断发展，改变着我们的生活。

kē jì bú duàn fā zhǎn gǎi biàn zhe wǒ men de shēng huó

Technology continuously develops, changing our lives.
21 不满 bù mǎn — dissatisfied HSK 4
- 不 not (negation particle)
- 满 satisfied, content
Example

他对这个结果很不满。

tā duì zhè ge jié guǒ hěn bù mǎn

He is very dissatisfied with this result.
22 不管 bù guǎn — no matter, regardless of HSK 4
- 不 not, negation
- 管 care, manage, be concerned with
Example

不管天气怎么样，我都要去。

bù guǎn tiān qì zěn me yàng wǒ dōu yào qù

No matter what the weather is like, I will go.
23 不论 bú lùn — no matter HSK 4
- 不 not, negation
- 论 discuss, consider
Example

不论天气如何，我们都要出发。

bú lùn tiān qì rú hé wǒ men dōu yào chū fā

No matter what the weather is like, we must set off.
24 不过 bú guò — however HSK 4
- 不 provides the negative or limiting sense
- 过 relates to surpassing or going beyond; together with 不 forms a contrastive conjunction
Example

这道菜很好吃，不过有点儿贵。

zhè dào cài hěn hǎo chī bú guò yǒu diǎnr guì

This dish is delicious, however it's a bit expensive.
25 受不了 shòu bu liǎo — can't stand HSK 4
- 受 to bear, to endure
- 不 not
- 了 able to, can
Example

这种天气我受不了。

zhè zhǒng tiān qì wǒ shòu bu liǎo

I can't stand this kind of weather.
26 来不及 lái bù jí — there's no time to HSK 4
- 来 approach, come to (a deadline or point in time)
- 不 not (negation marker)
- 及 reach, be in time for
Example

我来不及吃早饭就走了。

wǒ lái bù jí chī zǎo fàn jiù zǒu le

I didn't have time to eat breakfast and left.
27 不利 bù lì — unfavorable HSK 5
- 不 not, negation prefix
- 利 advantage, benefit, favorable
Example

形势对我们不利。

xíng shì duì wǒ men bù lì

The situation is unfavorable to us.
28 不幸 bú xìng — unfortunate HSK 5
- 不 not
- 幸 fortunate
Example

这是一个不幸的消息。

zhè shì yí gè bú xìng de xiāo xi

This is unfortunate news.
29 不得了 bù dé liǎo — terrible; extraordinary; extremely serious HSK 5
- 不 not; negation indicating inability
- 得 able to; can; indicating capability
- 了 finish; complete; settle
Example

如果不小心，后果不得了。

rú guǒ bù xiǎo xīn hòu guǒ bù dé liǎo

If you're not careful, the consequences will be terrible.
30 不然 bù rán — otherwise HSK 5
- 不 not, negation
- 然 so, thus, like that
Example

你要快点，不然会迟到。

nǐ yào kuài diǎn bù rán huì chí dào

You need to hurry, otherwise you'll be late.
31 不符 bù fú — not conform, be inconsistent with HSK 5
- 不 not (negation)
- 符 conform, match, tally
Example

他的行为不符公司规定。

tā de xíng wéi bù fú gōng sī guī dìng

His behavior doesn't conform to company regulations.
32 不良 bù liáng — bad, harmful HSK 5
- 不 negative prefix, 'not'
- 良 'good', creating 'not good' = bad
Example

他有不良的生活习惯。

tā yǒu bù liáng de shēng huó xí guàn

He has bad lifestyle habits.
33 不要紧 bú yào jǐn — it doesn't matter HSK 5
- 不 not; provides negation
- 要 important/need; forms 'important' with 紧
- 紧 tight/urgent/critical; combines with 要 to mean 'important'
Example

你别担心，不要紧的。

nǐ bié dān xīn bú yào jǐn de

Don't worry, it doesn't matter.
34 了不起 liǎo bu qǐ — remarkable HSK 5
- 了 to accomplish, to be able to
- 不 not
- 起 to rise, to get up
Example

他是一个了不起的人。

tā shì yí ge liǎo bu qǐ de rén

He is a remarkable person.
35 从不 cóng bù — never HSK 5
- 从 from (indicates temporal starting point, contributing to 'at no time')
- 不 not (negation that combines with 从 to form 'never')
Example

他从不迟到。

tā cóng bù chí dào

He is never late.
36 舍不得 shě bu de — reluctant to part with HSK 5
- 舍 to give up, to part with
- 不 not (negation)
- 得 complement particle indicating capability or possibility
Example

孩子舍不得扔掉旧玩具。

hái zi shě bu de rēng diào jiù wán jù

The child cannot bear to throw away old toys.
37 要不是 yào bù shì — if it were not for, but for HSK 5
- 要 forms part of the conditional phrase (originally 'want/will')
- 不 negation marker 'not'
- 是 completes the conditional construction (originally 'to be')
Example

要不是你帮忙，我完不成这个项目。

yào bù shì nǐ bāng máng wǒ wán bù chéng zhè ge xiàng mù

If it were not for your help, I couldn't complete this project.
38 要不然 yào bù rán — otherwise HSK 5
- 要 introduces a conditional sense, 'if one needs/wants'
- 不 negation, 'not'
- 然 so, thus; completes 'if not so' meaning
Example

快点走吧，要不然会迟到的。

kuài diǎn zǒu ba yào bù rán huì chí dào de

Hurry up, otherwise we'll be late.
39 说不定 shuō bu dìng — maybe HSK 5
- 说 to say, to speak
- 不 not
- 定 fixed, certain, determined
Example

他说不定会来。

tā shuō bu dìng huì lái

He might come.
40 不安 bù ān — uneasy HSK 6
- 不 negation prefix, 'not'
- 安 peaceful, calm, at ease
Example

听到这个消息，我感到很不安。

tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xi wǒ gǎn dào hěn bù ān

Hearing this news, I felt very uneasy.
41 不宜 bù yí — not advisable HSK 6
- 不 not (negation particle)
- 宜 suitable, advisable
Example

饭后不宜立即运动。

fàn hòu bù yí lì jí yùn dòng

It's not advisable to exercise immediately after eating.
42 不已 bù yǐ — endlessly HSK 6
- 不 not (negation particle)
- 已 stop, cease
Example

她赞叹不已。

tā zàn tàn bù yǐ

She praised it endlessly.
43 不得 bù dé — must not, may not HSK 6
- 不 not (negation marker)
- 得 may, can (modal auxiliary expressing permission)
Example

考试时不得交谈。

kǎo shì shí bù dé jiāo tán

You must not talk during the exam.
44 不成 bù chéng — won't do HSK 6
- 不 not (negation)
- 成 succeed, work out
Example

这样不成，我们得想别的办法。

zhè yàng bù chéng wǒ men děi xiǎng bié de bàn fǎ

This won't do, we have to think of another way.
45 不料 bú liào — unexpectedly HSK 6
- 不 not
- 料 to expect
Example

天气预报说会晴天，不料下起了大雨。

tiān qì yù bào shuō huì qíng tiān bú liào xià qǐ le dà yǔ

The weather forecast said it would be sunny, but unexpectedly it started raining heavily.
46 不时 bù shí — from time to time HSK 6
- 不 negation marker indicating irregularity
- 时 time, moment
Example

他不时地看一下手表。

tā bù shí de kàn yī xià shǒu biǎo

He looks at his watch from time to time.
47 不曾 bù céng — never HSK 6
- 不 not (negative particle)
- 曾 ever, once (indicating past experience)
Example

他不曾放弃过自己的梦想。

tā bù céng fàng qì guò zì jǐ de mèng xiǎng

He has never given up on his dreams.
48 不止 bù zhǐ — more than, not only HSK 6
- 不 not, negation particle
- 止 stop, limit, cease
Example

他不止一次提醒我。

tā bù zhǐ yī cì tí xǐng wǒ

He reminded me more than once.
49 不禁 bù jīn — can't help but HSK 6
- 不 not, negation
- 禁 to restrain, to endure, to withstand
Example

听到这个好消息，他不禁笑了起来。

tīng dào zhè ge hǎo xiāo xi tā bù jīn xiào le qǐ lái

Hearing this good news, he couldn't help but smile.
50 不耐烦 bú nài fán — impatient HSK 6
- 不 not
- 耐 endure, tolerate
- 烦 annoyed, vexed
Example

她用不耐烦的语气回答问题。

tā yòng bú nài fán de yǔ qì huí dá wèn tí

She answered the question in an impatient tone.
51 不至于 bú zhì yú — not to the extent of; won't go so far as to HSK 6
- 不 not (negation)
- 至 to reach, to the extent of
- 于 at, in (preposition completing the phrase)
Example

虽然他很忙，但不至于连电话都不接。

suī rán tā hěn máng dàn bú zhì yú lián diàn huà dōu bù jiē

Although he's busy, he won't go so far as to not answer the phone.
52 不许 bù xǔ — not allow, forbid HSK 6
- 不 not (negation)
- 许 allow, permit
Example

妈妈不许我看电视。

mā ma bù xǔ wǒ kàn diàn shì

Mom doesn't allow me to watch TV.
53 不适 bù shì — unwell; uncomfortable HSK 6
- 不 not (negation)
- 适 suitable, comfortable, well
Example

他今天身体不适，没有来上班。

tā jīn tiān shēn tǐ bù shì méi yǒu lái shàng bān

He's unwell today and didn't come to work.
54 不顾 bú gù — to disregard, to ignore HSK 6
- 不 not, negation
- 顾 to consider, to care about
Example

他不顾危险冲进了火场。

tā bú gù wēi xiǎn chōng jìn le huǒ chǎng

He disregarded the danger and rushed into the fire scene.
55 好不 hǎo bù — very HSK 6
- 好 functions as an intensifier
- 不 combines with 好 to create rhetorical emphasis
Example

他好不容易才找到工作。

tā hǎo bù róng yì cái zhǎo dào gōng zuò

He found a job with great difficulty.
56 毫不 háo bù — not at all HSK 6
- 毫 the slightest bit, tiny amount
- 不 not (negation)
Example

他毫不犹豫地答应了。

tā háo bù yóu yù de dā ying le

He agreed without hesitation.
57 看不起 kàn bu qǐ — to look down on HSK 6
- 看 to look
- 不 not (negative infix)
- 起 up (resultative complement)
Example

你不应该看不起别人。

nǐ bù yīng gāi kàn bu qǐ bié rén

You shouldn't look down on others.
58 一丝不苟 yì sī bù gǒu — meticulous HSK 7
- 一 one, single
- 丝 thread, silk thread
- 不 not
- 苟 careless, sloppy
Example

她是一个一丝不苟的科学家。

tā shì yí ge yì sī bù gǒu de kēxuéjiā

She is a meticulous scientist.
59 一动不动 yí dòng bù dòng — motionless HSK 7
- 一 one (emphasizing singularity)
- 动 move
- 不 not
- 动 move
Example

石像一动不动。

shí xiàng yí dòng bù dòng

The stone statue is motionless.
60 一声不吭 yì shēng bù kēng — without uttering a sound HSK 7
- 一 one, a single
- 声 sound, voice
- 不 not
- 吭 to utter, to make a sound
Example

面对批评，他保持一声不吭的态度。

miàn duì pī píng tā bǎo chí yì shēng bù kēng de tài du

Facing criticism, he maintained a silent attitude.
61 一成不变 yì chéng bù biàn — unchanging, immutable HSK 7
- 一 one, once (indicating fixedness)
- 成 formed, established, completed
- 不 not
- 变 change
Example

一成不变的做法已经过时了。

yì chéng bù biàn de zuò fǎ yǐ jīng guò shí le

The unchanging approach is already outdated.
62 一毛不拔 yì máo bù bá — extremely stingy HSK 7
- 一 one, single
- 毛 hair, fur
- 不 not
- 拔 to pluck, pull out
Example

这个老板一毛不拔，从不给员工加薪。

zhè ge lǎo bǎn yì máo bù bá cóng bù gěi yuán gōng jiā xīn

This boss is extremely stingy and never gives employees raises.
63 一言不发 yì yán bù fā — not say a word HSK 7
- 一 one, single
- 言 word, speech
- 不 not
- 发 utter, emit, express
Example

面对指责，他一言不发。

miàn duì zhǐ zé tā yì yán bù fā

Faced with accusations, he didn't say a word.
64 不下 bú xià — no less than HSK 7
- 不 not
- 下 below, less than
Example

这个项目的投资不下一千万元。

zhè ge xiàng mù de tóu zī bú xià yī qiān wàn yuán

The investment in this project is no less than ten million yuan.
65 不乏 bù fá — there is no lack of HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 乏 lack, be short of
Example

这个城市不乏优秀的餐厅。

zhè ge chéng shì bù fá yōu xiù de cān tīng

This city has no lack of excellent restaurants.
66 不了了之 bù liǎo liǎo zhī — to leave something unresolved HSK 7
- 不 not; negates the action of concluding
- 了 to finish, to settle; indicates completion
- 了 to finish; reinforces the sense of completion
- 之 it, this (classical particle); refers to the matter
Example

这件事不能不了了之，我们必须找到解决办法。

zhè jiàn shì bù néng bù liǎo liǎo zhī wǒ men bì xū zhǎo dào jiě jué bàn fǎ

This matter cannot be left unresolved; we must find a solution.
67 不予 bù yǔ — refuse to; not grant HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 予 to grant, to give
Example

法院不予受理这个案件。

fǎ yuán bù yǔ shòu lǐ zhè ge àn jiàn

The court refuses to accept this case.
68 不亚于 bú yà yú — no less than HSK 7
- 不 not
- 亚 inferior to
- 于 to, than
Example

她的成就不亚于她的老师。

tā de chéng jiù bú yà yú tā de lǎo shī

Her achievements are no less than her teacher's.
69 不亦乐乎 bú yì lè hū — extremely; to a great extent; to one's heart's content HSK 7
- 不 not (part of classical rhetorical structure)
- 亦 also (classical particle for emphasis)
- 乐 joy; happy (core meaning element)
- 乎 classical final particle (forms rhetorical question)
Example

孩子们玩得不亦乐乎。

hái zi men wán de bú yì lè hū

The children played to their heart's content.
70 不以为然 bù yǐ wéi rán — disapprove; object; take exception; not think so HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 以 use; by means of; with
- 为 consider as; regard as
- 然 so; like that; correct; right
Example

他对我的建议不以为然。

tā duì wǒ de jiàn yì bù yǐ wéi rán

He disapproves of my suggestion.
71 不假思索 bù jiǎ sī suǒ — without thinking HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 假 to borrow/use (time)
- 思 to think
- 索 to ponder/search
Example

他不假思索地回答了问题。

tā bù jiǎ sī suǒ de huí dá le wèn tí

He answered the question without thinking.
72 不像话 bù xiàng huà — outrageous HSK 7
- 不 not, negation
- 像 resemble, conform to proper standards
- 话 proper speech, acceptable behavior
Example

他的行为真是不像话！

tā de xíng wéi zhēn shì bù xiàng huà

His behavior is really outrageous!
73 不免 bù miǎn — inevitably HSK 7
- 不 not, cannot (negation)
- 免 avoid, escape from
Example

独自在外，不免想家。

dú zì zài wài bù miǎn xiǎng jiā

Being alone away from home, one inevitably misses home.
74 不准 bù zhǔn — not allowed HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 准 to allow, to permit
Example

这里不准吸烟。

zhè lǐ bù zhǔn xī yān

Smoking is not allowed here.
75 不力 bú lì — ineffective HSK 7
- 不 not
- 力 force
Example

他的管理不力导致了公司的损失。

tā de guǎn lǐ bú lì dǎo zhì le gōng sī de sǔn shī

His ineffective management led to the company's losses.
76 不动产 bú dòng chǎn — real estate HSK 7
- 不 not
- 动 movable
- 产 property
Example

他投资了很多不动产。

tā tóu zī le hěn duō bú dòng chǎn

He invested in a lot of real estate.
77 不厌其烦 bù yàn qí fán — untiringly, with great patience HSK 7
- 不 not, negation
- 厌 to tire of, to be weary of
- 其 its, that (possessive/demonstrative)
- 烦 trouble, annoyance, bother
Example

老师不厌其烦地给学生解释这个问题。

lǎo shī bù yàn qí fán de gěi xué sheng jiě shì zhè ge wèn tí

The teacher tirelessly explains this problem to the students.
78 不及 bù jí — not as good as HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 及 reach, attain
Example

我的汉语水平不及你。

wǒ de hàn yǔ shuǐ píng bù jí nǐ

My Chinese level is not as good as yours.
79 不可思议 bù kě sī yì — inconceivable HSK 7
- 不 not, negation
- 可 can, possible
- 思 think, contemplate
- 议 discuss, consider
Example

大自然的力量真是不可思议。

dà zì rán de lì liàng zhēn shì bù kě sī yì

The power of nature is truly inconceivable.
80 不可或缺 bù kě huò quē — indispensable HSK 7
- 不 not (negation marker)
- 可 can/may (possibility marker)
- 或 or (creates sense of 'or lacking')
- 缺 lack/be missing
Example

水对于生命来说是不可或缺的。

shuǐ duì yú shēng mìng lái shuō shì bù kě huò quē de

Water is indispensable to life.
81 不堪 bù kān — cannot bear, unbearable HSK 7
- 不 not, cannot (negation marker)
- 堪 to bear, to endure, to withstand
Example

他不堪重负，终于病倒了。

tā bù kān zhòng fù zhōng yú bìng dǎo le

Unable to bear the heavy burden, he finally fell ill.
82 不妙 bú miào — not good; bad; unfavorable HSK 7
- 不 not; negation
- 妙 good; wonderful (negated to mean 'not good')
Example

情况不妙，我们必须马上离开。

qíng kuàng bú miào wǒ men bì xū mǎ shàng lí kāi

The situation is bad, we must leave immediately.
83 不妨 bù fáng — might as well HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 妨 hinder, obstruct, harm
Example

天气这么好，不妨出去走走。

tiān qì zhè me hǎo bù fáng chū qù zǒu zou

The weather is so nice, might as well go out for a walk.
84 不定 bú dìng — uncertain, indefinite HSK 7
- 不 not
- 定 fixed
Example

这个计划的时间还不定。

zhè ge jì huà de shí jiān hái bú dìng

The time for this plan is still uncertain.
85 不容 bù róng — not tolerate HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 容 allow, tolerate
Example

形势不容乐观。

xíng shì bù róng lè guān

The situation does not allow for optimism.
86 不屑 bú xiè — to disdain HSK 7
- 不 not
- 屑 to think worthy of, to deign
Example

他不屑与那些人为伍。

tā bú xiè yǔ nà xiē rén wéi wǔ

He disdains to associate with those people.
87 不平 bù píng — unfair; indignant HSK 7
- 不 not; negation particle
- 平 level, fair, balanced
Example

他对这个决定感到不平。

tā duì zhè ge jué dìng gǎn dào bù píng

He felt indignant about this decision.
88 不当 bú dàng — improper HSK 7
- 不 not
- 当 proper
Example

他的行为很不当。

tā de xíng wéi hěn bú dàng

His behavior is very improper.
89 不得已 bù dé yǐ — have no choice but to HSK 7
- 不 not
- 得 able to / can
- 已 stop / help it
Example

我不得已才这样做的。

wǒ bù dé yǐ cái zhè yàng zuò de

I had no choice but to do this.
90 不得而知 bù dé ér zhī — unknown HSK 7
- 不 not, negation marker
- 得 able to, can obtain
- 而 and thus, conjunctive particle
- 知 know, understand
Example

至于他为什么离开，我们不得而知。

zhì yú tā wèi shén me lí kāi wǒ men bù dé ér zhī

As for why he left, we don't know.
91 不惜 bù xī — not hesitate to, spare no (effort/expense) HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 惜 to spare, to begrudge
Example

他不惜一切代价保护家人。

tā bù xī yí qiè dài jià bǎo hù jiā rén

He spares no cost to protect his family.
92 不愧 bú kuì — indeed HSK 7
- 不 not
- 愧 ashamed, feel unworthy
Example

他不愧是冠军。

tā bú kuì shì guàn jūn

He is indeed a champion.
93 不慎 bú shèn — careless HSK 7
- 不 not
- 慎 careful
Example

这次事故源于不慎的操作。

zhè cì shì gù yuán yú bú shèn de cāo zuò

This accident stemmed from careless operation.
94 不懈 bú xiè — unremitting HSK 7
- 不 not, un-
- 懈 slack, relax, lax
Example

他不懈的努力终于获得了成功。

tā bú xiè de nǔ lì zhōng yú huò dé le chéng gōng

His unremitting efforts finally achieved success.
95 不折不扣 bù zhé bù kòu — complete and absolute; one hundred percent HSK 7
- 不 not, negation (negating discount)
- 折 discount, reduction
- 不 not, negation (negating deduction)
- 扣 deduct, deduction
Example

他是一个不折不扣的好人。

tā shì yí gè bù zhé bù kòu de hǎo rén

He is a complete and absolute good person.
96 不敢当 bù gǎn dāng — I don't deserve it; you flatter me HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 敢 dare (courage or right to do something)
- 当 accept, bear (praise or honor)
Example

不敢当，这都是大家的功劳。

bù gǎn dāng zhè dōu shì dà jiā de gōng láo

I don't deserve it, this is everyone's achievement.
97 不景气 bù jǐng qì — depressed HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 景 prosperity, economic conditions
- 气 vitality, atmosphere
Example

今年经济不景气，很多公司倒闭了。

jīn nián jīng jì bù jǐng qì hěn duō gōng sī dǎo bì le

This year the economy is depressed, and many companies have gone bankrupt.
98 不服 bù fú — refuse to accept; unconvinced HSK 7
- 不 not; negation particle
- 服 accept; submit; be convinced
Example

他对这个判决不服。

tā duì zhè ge pàn jué bù fú

He refuses to accept this judgment.
99 不正之风 bù zhèng zhī fēng — unhealthy trends HSK 7
- 不 not, negation marker
- 正 proper, correct, righteous
- 之 of (classical possessive marker)
- 风 wind, trend, custom, atmosphere
Example

我们必须坚决抵制社会上的不正之风。

wǒ men bì xū jiān jué dǐ zhì shè huì shàng de bù zhèng zhī fēng

We must firmly resist unhealthy trends in society.
100 不法 bù fǎ — illegal, unlawful HSK 7
- 不 not, negation prefix indicating the absence or violation of
- 法 law, legal standard or regulation
Example

警方打击不法分子。

jǐng fāng dǎ jī bù fǎ fèn zǐ

The police crack down on lawbreakers.
101 不由得 bù yóu de — can't help but HSK 7
- 不 not, negation marker
- 由 by, through, control (in this context: having control over)
- 得 potential complement marker (indicates ability or possibility)
Example

看到这个场景，我不由得笑了起来。

kàn dào zhè ge chǎng jǐng wǒ bù yóu de xiào le qǐ lái

Seeing this scene, I couldn't help but laugh.
102 不由自主 bù yóu zì zhǔ — involuntarily; cannot help oneself HSK 7
- 不 not; negation particle
- 由 from; by; through
- 自 self; oneself
- 主 control; master; be in charge
Example

听到这首歌，她不由自主地哭了起来。

tīng dào zhè shǒu gē tā bù yóu zì zhǔ de kū le qǐ lái

Hearing this song, she involuntarily started crying.
103 不相上下 bù xiāng shàng xià — evenly matched; about the same; comparable HSK 7
- 不 not; negation marker
- 相 mutually; each other
- 上 up; above; superior
- 下 down; below; inferior
Example

这两支球队的水平不相上下，比赛非常激烈。

zhè liǎng zhī qiú duì de shuǐ píng bù xiāng shàng xià bǐ sài fēi cháng jī liè

These two teams are evenly matched, so the game is very intense.
104 不知不觉 bù zhī bù jué — unconsciously HSK 7
- 不 not (negates 'knowing')
- 知 to know, to be aware
- 不 not (negates 'perceiving')
- 觉 to perceive, to sense, to feel
Example

时间不知不觉就过去了。

shí jiān bù zhī bù jué jiù guò qù le

Time passed unconsciously.
105 不知所措 bù zhī suǒ cuò — at a loss; not know what to do HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 知 to know
- 所 place; what/where (nominalizer)
- 措 to place; to handle; to deal with
Example

孩子走丢了，妈妈急得不知所措。

hái zi zǒu diū le mā ma jí de bù zhī suǒ cuò

The child got lost, and the mother was so anxious she didn't know what to do.
106 不算 bú suàn — not count HSK 7
- 不 not
- 算 count, consider
Example

这不算迟到。

zhè bú suàn chí dào

This doesn't count as being late.
107 不约而同 bù yuē ér tóng — to happen to coincide; to agree by chance without prior consultation HSK 7
- 不 not, without
- 约 arrangement, agreement, appointment
- 而 yet, but (conjunction)
- 同 same, together, in unison
Example

听到这个消息，大家不约而同地鼓起掌来。

tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xi dà jiā bù yuē ér tóng de gǔ qǐ zhǎng lái

Upon hearing the news, everyone spontaneously applauded at the same time.
108 不经意 bù jīng yì — inadvertently, unintentionally, casually HSK 7
- 不 not, negation
- 经 to pass through, to experience (conscious processing)
- 意 intention, attention, awareness
Example

我不经意间看到了那封信。

wǒ bù jīng yì jiān kàn dào le nà fēng xìn

I inadvertently saw that letter.
109 不翼而飞 bú yì ér fēi — to disappear without a trace HSK 7
- 不 not, without
- 翼 wing, wings
- 而 and yet, but
- 飞 to fly
Example

我的钱包不翼而飞了。

wǒ de qián bāo bú yì ér fēi le

My wallet disappeared without a trace.
110 不耻下问 bù chǐ xià wèn — not ashamed to learn from those below oneself HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 耻 ashamed, shame
- 下 below, lower in status
- 问 ask, inquire
Example

孔子虽然学问渊博，但他不耻下问，经常向普通人请教。

Kǒng zǐ suī rán xué wèn yuān bó dàn tā bù chǐ xià wèn jīng cháng xiàng pǔ tōng rén qǐng jiào

Although Confucius was very learned, he was not ashamed to learn from those below him and often consulted ordinary people.
111 不肖 bú xiào — unworthy HSK 7
- 不 not
- 肖 resemble
Example

他是个不肖子孙。

tā shì gè bú xiào zǐ sūn

He is an unworthy descendant.
112 不见得 bú jiàn dé — not necessarily HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 见 see, perceive
- 得 obtain, reach (forms potential complement)
Example

贵的东西不见得就是好的。

guì de dōng xi bú jiàn dé jiù shì hǎo de

Expensive things are not necessarily good.
113 不解 bù jiě — not understand HSK 7
- 不 not (negation particle)
- 解 understand, comprehend
Example

我对他的行为感到不解。

wǒ duì tā de xíng wéi gǎn dào bù jiě

I don't understand his behavior.
114 不言而喻 bù yán ér yù — self-evident HSK 7
- 不 not, without (negation)
- 言 to speak, words (verbal explanation)
- 而 yet, and (conjunction connecting contrasting ideas)
- 喻 to understand, to comprehend (grasp meaning)
Example

诚实的重要性不言而喻。

chéng shí de zhòng yào xìng bù yán ér yù

The importance of honesty is self-evident.
115 不辞而别 bù cí ér bié — to leave without saying goodbye HSK 7
- 不 not (negation)
- 辞 take leave, say goodbye
- 而 and then, but (conjunction connecting actions)
- 别 part, leave, separate
Example

他昨天不辞而别，谁也不知道他去了哪里。

tā zuó tiān bù cí ér bié shuí yě bù zhī dào tā qù le nǎ lǐ

He left without saying goodbye yesterday, nobody knows where he went.
116 与众不同 yǔ zhòng bù tóng — distinctive, different from others HSK 7
- 与 with, from (introduces comparison)
- 众 crowd, masses, others
- 不 not (negation marker)
- 同 same, identical
Example

她的穿衣风格与众不同。

tā de chuān yī fēng gé yǔ zhòng bù tóng

Her clothing style is distinctive.
117 举棋不定 jǔ qí bù dìng — hesitant and indecisive HSK 7
- 举 to lift, to hold up
- 棋 chess piece
- 不 not
- 定 to decide, to determine
Example

他面对两个工作机会，举棋不定，不知道该选哪个。

tā miàn duì liǎng gè gōng zuò jī huì jǔ qí bù dìng bù zhī dào gāi xuǎn nǎ ge

Faced with two job opportunities, he is hesitant and indecisive, not knowing which one to choose.
118 乐此不疲 lè cǐ bù pí — take delight in something and never tire of it HSK 7
- 乐 enjoy, take pleasure
- 此 this (referring to the activity)
- 不 not, never
- 疲 tired, weary
Example

她对烹饪乐此不疲，每天都尝试新菜谱。

tā duì pēng rèn lè cǐ bù pí měi tiān dōu cháng shì xīn cài pǔ

She takes delight in cooking and never tires of it, trying new recipes every day.
119 从容不迫 cóng róng bù pò — calm and unhurried HSK 7
- 从 following, going with the flow
- 容 ease, composure, calmness
- 不 not (negation)
- 迫 pressed, hurried, urgent
Example

面对突发状况，他从容不迫地处理问题。

miàn duì tū fā zhuàng kuàng tā cóng róng bù pò de chǔ lǐ wèn tí

Facing the sudden situation, he handled the problem calmly and unhurriedly.
120 供不应求 gōng bù yìng qiú — supply cannot meet demand HSK 7
- 供 supply
- 不 not, cannot
- 应 meet, respond to
- 求 demand
Example

新推出的产品供不应求，订单已经排到下个月了。

xīn tuī chū de chǎn pǐn gōng bù yìng qiú dìng dān yǐ jīng pái dào xià gè yuè le

The newly launched product is in short supply, orders are already booked until next month.
121 依依不舍 yī yī bù shě — reluctant to part HSK 7
- 依 attached, clinging (emotional attachment)
- 依 repeated for emphasis, intensifying the reluctant feeling
- 不 not, negation
- 舍 willing to give up, bear to part with
Example

毕业时，同学们依依不舍地告别。

bì yè shí tóng xué men yī yī bù shě de gào bié

At graduation, the classmates said goodbye reluctantly.
122 免不了 miǎn bu liǎo — cannot avoid, inevitable HSK 7
- 免 avoid, exempt from
- 不 not, negation
- 了 able to, can (indicating capability)
Example

学习新语言免不了会犯错误。

xué xí xīn yǔ yán miǎn bu liǎo huì fàn cuò wù

When learning a new language, you cannot avoid making mistakes.
123 划不来 huá bù lái — not worth it HSK 7
- 划 to calculate, to reckon (profitability)
- 不 not (negation)
- 来 feasible, workable (directional complement indicating result)
Example

坐出租车去太划不来了，我们坐地铁吧。

zuò chū zū chē qù tài huá bù lái le wǒ men zuò dì tiě ba

Taking a taxi is not worth it, let's take the subway.
124 刻不容缓 kè bù róng huǎn — admit of no delay; extremely urgent HSK 7
- 刻 moment; instant of time
- 不 not; negation
- 容 allow; tolerate; permit
- 缓 delay; postpone; slow down
Example

保护环境刻不容缓，我们应该从现在做起。

bǎo hù huán jìng kè bù róng huǎn wǒ men yīng gāi cóng xiàn zài zuò qǐ

Protecting the environment admits of no delay; we should start now.
125 力不从心 lì bù cóng xīn — willing but unable HSK 7
- 力 strength, ability, capability
- 不 not, negation
- 从 follow, comply with
- 心 heart, mind, will, intention
Example

他虽然想帮忙，但因为身体不好，力不从心。

tā suī rán xiǎng bāng máng dàn yīn wèi shēn tǐ bù hǎo lì bù cóng xīn

Although he wanted to help, due to poor health, he was willing but unable.
126 动不动 dòng bu dòng — at every turn, frequently, easily (often without good reason) HSK 7
- 动 move, act
- 不 not
- 动 move, act
Example

他动不动就生气。

tā dòng bu dòng jiù shēng qì

He gets angry at every turn.
127 势不可当 shì bù kě dāng — Irresistible HSK 7
- 势 Momentum, force, power
- 不 Not, negation
- 可 Can, possible, able to
- 当 Withstand, resist, block
Example

他的进攻势不可当，对手毫无还手之力。

tā de jìn gōng shì bù kě dāng duì shǒu háo wú huán shǒu zhī lì

His attack was irresistible, the opponent had no power to fight back.
128 可不是 kě bú shì — exactly; isn't it though; you can say that again HSK 7
- 可 expresses possibility or emphasis in the phrase
- 不 negation particle, part of the idiomatic expression
- 是 verb 'to be', combines with 可不 to form emphatic agreement
Example

今天真热。可不是！

jīn tiān zhēn rè kě bú shì

It's really hot today. Isn't it though!
129 哭笑不得 kū xiào bù dé — not knowing whether to laugh or cry HSK 7
- 哭 to cry, to weep
- 笑 to laugh, to smile
- 不 not, cannot
- 得 able to, can (potential complement)
Example

他的解释让我哭笑不得。

tā de jiě shì ràng wǒ kū xiào bù dé

His explanation left me not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
130 大不了 dà bu liǎo — at worst; at most; if worst comes to worst HSK 7
- 大 big; great
- 不 not
- 了 finish; settle
Example

大不了我们明天再来。

dà bu liǎo wǒ men míng tiān zài lái

At worst, we'll come back tomorrow.
131 少不了 shǎo bu liǎo — cannot do without HSK 7
- 少 lacking, less
- 不 not (negative particle)
- 了 able to, can (indicates possibility)
Example

这个项目少不了你的帮助。

zhè ge xiàng mù shǎo bu liǎo nǐ de bāng zhù

This project cannot do without your help.
132 层出不穷 céng chū bù qióng — emerge in an endless stream HSK 7
- 层 layer; suggests one after another in succession
- 出 come out, emerge; indicates appearance
- 不 not; negates the following character
- 穷 exhaust, end; with 不 means endless
Example

新的科技产品层出不穷。

xīn de kē jì chǎn pǐn céng chū bù qióng

New technology products emerge in an endless stream.
133 居高不下 jū gāo bú xià — remain at a high level HSK 7
- 居 to occupy, to be in (a state)
- 高 high (level/position)
- 不 not
- 下 to descend, to go down
Example

最近房价居高不下。

zuì jìn fáng jià jū gāo bú xià

Housing prices have remained at a high level recently.
134 川流不息 chuān liú bù xī — in an endless stream HSK 7
- 川 river, representing flowing water
- 流 flow, emphasizing the flowing motion
- 不 not, negation particle
- 息 stop, cease, to rest
Example

街上的车辆川流不息。

jiē shàng de chē liàng chuān liú bù xī

The vehicles on the street flow in an endless stream.
135 巴不得 bā bu dé — to be dying to; to be only too anxious to; to eagerly wish HSK 7
- 巴 expresses strong desire or eagerness; an intensifier showing longing
- 不 part of the fixed idiomatic expression; does not function as simple negation here
- 得 completes the idiomatic expression; contributes to the meaning of 'obtaining' one's wish
Example

他巴不得马上回家。

tā bā bu dé mǎ shàng huí jiā

He is dying to go home immediately.
136 形影不离 xíng yǐng bù lí — inseparable HSK 7
- 形 body, physical form
- 影 shadow
- 不 not
- 离 separate, leave
Example

他们两个从小就形影不离。

tā men liǎng gè cóng xiǎo jiù xíng yǐng bù lí

The two of them have been inseparable since childhood.
137 得不偿失 dé bù cháng shī — the gains do not make up for the losses; not worth the cost HSK 7
- 得 gain, obtain
- 不 not, negation
- 偿 compensate, make up for
- 失 loss, lose
Example

熬夜学习虽然多记住了些东西，但损害了健康，得不偿失。

áo yè xué xí suī rán duō jì zhù le xiē dōng xi dàn sǔn hài le jiàn kāng dé bù cháng shī

Although staying up late to study helps you remember more things, it harms your health—the losses outweigh the gains.
138 微不足道 wēi bù zú dào — insignificant, negligible, trifling HSK 7
- 微 tiny, minute, minuscule
- 不 not, negation marker
- 足 sufficient, enough, worthy
- 道 to speak of, to mention, worth talking about
Example

相比整个项目的规模，这笔费用微不足道。

xiāng bǐ zhěng gè xiàng mù de guī mó zhè bǐ fèi yòng wēi bù zú dào

Compared to the scale of the entire project, this expense is negligible.
139 必不可少 bì bù kě shǎo — indispensable HSK 7
- 必 must, necessarily
- 不 not, negation
- 可 can, possible to
- 少 lack, be without
Example

水是生命必不可少的元素。

shuǐ shì shēng mìng bì bù kě shǎo de yuán sù

Water is an indispensable element for life.
140 念念不忘 niàn niàn bù wàng — always remember; never forget HSK 7
- 念 to think of; to remember
- 念 repetition emphasizing constant thinking
- 不 not; negation
- 忘 to forget
Example

老师的教诲让我念念不忘。

lǎo shī de jiào huì ràng wǒ niàn niàn bù wàng

I always remember my teacher's teachings.
141 怪不得 guài bu de — no wonder HSK 7
- 怪 to blame, to find fault
- 不 not
- 得 able to, can
Example

这件事怪不得你。

zhè jiàn shì guài bu de nǐ

This matter can't be blamed on you.
142 恋恋不舍 liàn liàn bù shě — reluctant to part HSK 7
- 恋 attachment, longing
- 恋 emphasis on attachment (repetition)
- 不 not, negative particle
- 舍 give up, part with
Example

孩子们恋恋不舍地离开了游乐园。

hái zi men liàn liàn bù shě de lí kāi le yóu lè yuán

The children reluctantly left the amusement park.
143 恨不得 hèn bu de — to wish one could HSK 7
- 恨 intensifies the feeling of wanting
- 不 not, negative particle
- 得 can obtain, able to get
Example

我恨不得马上回家。

wǒ hèn bu de mǎ shàng huí jiā

I wish I could go home right away.
144 情不自禁 qíng bù zì jīn — cannot help but HSK 7
- 情 emotion, feeling
- 不 not, cannot
- 自 self, oneself
- 禁 restrain, control, prohibit
Example

看到这美丽的景色，她情不自禁地笑了。

kàn dào zhè měi lì de jǐng sè tā qíng bù zì jīn de xiào le

Seeing this beautiful scenery, she couldn't help but smile.
145 意想不到 yì xiǎng bù dào — unexpected HSK 7
- 意 thought, idea
- 想 to think, to imagine
- 不 not
- 到 to reach, to think of
Example

这个结果真是意想不到。

zhè ge jié guǒ zhēn shì yì xiǎng bù dào

This result is really unexpected.
146 截然不同 jié rán bù tóng — completely different HSK 7
- 截 sharply, clearly (indicating a sharp distinction)
- 然 manner suffix (forms adverb emphasizing the state)
- 不 not (negation particle)
- 同 same, similar (the concept being negated)
Example

双胞胎的性格截然不同。

shuāng bāo tāi de xìng gé jié rán bù tóng

The twins' personalities are completely different.
147 措手不及 cuò shǒu bù jí — caught off guard HSK 7
- 措 to handle, to manage
- 手 hand (representing readiness to act)
- 不 not
- 及 to reach, in time
Example

突如其来的暴雨让我们措手不及。

tū rú qí lái de bào yǔ ràng wǒ men cuò shǒu bù jí

The sudden rainstorm caught us off guard.
148 无不 wú bù — all, without exception HSK 7
- 无 without, not have (first negation)
- 不 not (second negation, creating double negative = all)
Example

他的学生无不敬佩他。

tā de xué sheng wú bù jìng pèi tā

All his students admire him without exception.
149 无微不至 wú wēi bù zhì — extremely attentive and considerate; meticulous in every detail HSK 7
- 无 no, without; negates the phrase that follows
- 微 tiny, minute; refers to the smallest details
- 不 not; negative particle
- 至 reach, arrive at; indicates that attention extends to all details
Example

母亲对孩子的照顾总是无微不至。

mǔ qīn duì hái zi de zhào gu zǒng shì wú wēi bù zhì

A mother's care for her children is always meticulous in every detail.
150 有条不紊 yǒu tiáo bù wěn — orderly and methodical HSK 7
- 有 to have, possessing
- 条 order, systematic arrangement
- 不 not, negation
- 紊 disorder, chaos
Example

她做事总是有条不紊，从不慌乱。

tā zuò shì zǒng shì yǒu tiáo bù wěn cóng bù huāng luàn

She always does things in an orderly and methodical manner, never panicking.
151 来之不易 lái zhī bù yì — hard-won; not easily obtained HSK 7
- 来 to come; represents the arrival or obtaining of something
- 之 classical possessive particle; connects the components
- 不 not; negates the following character
- 易 easy; refers to ease or simplicity
Example

这个机会来之不易，你一定要把握住。

zhè ge jī huì lái zhī bù yì nǐ yí dìng yào bǎ wò zhù

This opportunity is hard-won, you must seize it.
152 格格不入 gé gé bù rù — incompatible; out of place HSK 7
- 格 standard, pattern (first instance for emphasis)
- 格 standard, pattern (repetition for emphasis)
- 不 not (negation)
- 入 enter, fit in
Example

他在这个保守的环境中显得格格不入。

tā zài zhè ge bǎo shǒu de huán jìng zhōng xiǎn de gé gé bù rù

He seems out of place in this conservative environment.
153 源源不断 yuán yuán bù duàn — continuously and unceasingly HSK 7
- 源 source, origin (first instance, emphasizing the continuous source)
- 源 source (repeated for emphasis, intensifying the continuous nature)
- 不 not (negation particle)
- 断 break, cut off (meaning to stop or interrupt)
Example

游客源源不断地来到这座古城。

yóu kè yuán yuán bù duàn de lái dào zhè zuò gǔ chéng

Tourists continuously come to this ancient city.
154 滔滔不绝 tāo tāo bù jué — talking incessantly; eloquent and fluent HSK 7
- 滔 surging; indicates continuous flowing
- 滔 surging (repeated for emphasis); intensifies the continuous nature
- 不 not; negation
- 绝 to stop; to cease
Example

他滔滔不绝地讲了两个小时。

tā tāo tāo bù jué de jiǎng le liǎng gè xiǎo shí

He talked incessantly for two hours.
155 爱不释手 ài bù shì shǒu — love something so much that one can't put it down; fondle admiringly HSK 7
- 爱 love; expresses fondness and affection
- 不 not; negation particle
- 释 release, let go; to put down
- 手 hand; the physical hand
Example

她收到礼物后爱不释手，一直拿在手里欣赏。

tā shōu dào lǐ wù hòu ài bù shì shǒu yì zhí ná zài shǒu lǐ xīn shǎng

After receiving the gift, she loved it so much she couldn't put it down, holding it in her hands and admiring it.
156 犹豫不决 yóu yù bù jué — hesitant and indecisive HSK 7
- 犹 still, yet (expressing lingering uncertainty)
- 豫 hesitate, be uncertain
- 不 not (negation)
- 决 decide, determine
Example

面对重要决定时，不要犹豫不决。

miàn duì zhòng yào jué dìng shí bù yào yóu yù bù jué

When facing important decisions, don't be hesitant and indecisive.
157 目不转睛 mù bù zhuǎn jīng — stare fixedly without blinking HSK 7
- 目 eye
- 不 not
- 转 turn, rotate
- 睛 eyeball, pupil
Example

孩子们目不转睛地看着魔术师的表演。

hái zi men mù bù zhuǎn jīng de kàn zhe mó shù shī de biǎo yǎn

The children stared fixedly at the magician's performance.
158 禁不住 jīn bu zhù — cannot help but HSK 7
- 禁 to restrain, to endure, to control
- 不 not, negation particle
- 住 to hold, to stop (resultative complement)
Example

她禁不住流下了眼泪。

tā jīn bu zhù liú xià le yǎn lèi

She couldn't help but shed tears.
159 素不相识 sù bù xiāng shí — complete strangers HSK 7
- 素 originally, from the beginning
- 不 not, negation
- 相 mutually, each other
- 识 know, recognize
Example

我们素不相识，但他却帮助了我。

wǒ men sù bù xiāng shí dàn tā què bāng zhù le wǒ

We were complete strangers, but he helped me.
160 经久不息 jīng jiǔ bù xī — lasting for a long time without stopping HSK 7
- 经 through, undergo (indicating duration)
- 久 long time (specifying extended duration)
- 不 not (negation)
- 息 cease, stop (meaning unceasing when negated)
Example

演出结束后，观众的掌声经久不息。

yǎn chū jié shù hòu guān zhòng de zhǎng shēng jīng jiǔ bù xī

After the performance, the audience's applause lasted for a long time without stopping.
161 络绎不绝 luò yì bù jué — in an endless stream HSK 7
- 络 to connect in a continuous network or chain
- 绎 to continue without interruption, to follow in succession
- 不 not
- 绝 to cut off, to stop, to cease
Example

春节期间，来寺庙烧香的人络绎不绝。

chūn jié qī jiān lái sì miào shāo xiāng de rén luò yì bù jué

During the Spring Festival, people coming to the temple to burn incense arrive in an endless stream.
162 美中不足 měi zhōng bù zú — a fly in the ointment; the only flaw in something otherwise perfect HSK 7
- 美 beautiful, perfect, good
- 中 in, within, among
- 不 not, un-
- 足 sufficient, adequate, enough
Example

这个计划很完美，美中不足的是成本太高。

zhè ge jì huà hěn wán měi měi zhōng bù zú de shì chéng běn tài gāo

This plan is perfect, the only flaw is that the cost is too high.
163 自强不息 zì qiáng bù xī — strive continuously for self-improvement HSK 7
- 自 self, oneself
- 强 strengthen, make strong
- 不 not, do not
- 息 cease, stop, rest
Example

面对困难，他自强不息，终于成功了。

miàn duì kùn nán tā zì qiáng bù xī zhōng yú chéng gōng le

Facing difficulties, he strove unremittingly and finally succeeded.
164 说不上 shuō bu shàng — can't say HSK 7
- 说 to say, to speak
- 不 not (negation)
- 上 resultative complement indicating inability to achieve
Example

他的年龄我说不上。

tā de nián líng wǒ shuō bu shàng

I can't say his age.
165 赞不绝口 zàn bù jué kǒu — full of praise HSK 7
- 赞 praise
- 不 not
- 绝 cease
- 口 mouth
Example

客人们对酒店的服务赞不绝口。

kè rén men duì jiǔ diàn de fú wù zàn bù jué kǒu

The guests were full of praise for the hotel's service.
166 足不出户 zú bù chū hù — without leaving home HSK 7
- 足 foot (not stepping with one's feet)
- 不 not (negation marker)
- 出 to go out, to exit
- 户 door, household (the threshold of home)
Example

现在网购很方便，足不出户就能买到想要的东西。

xiàn zài wǎng gǒu hěn fāng biàn zú bù chū hù jiù néng mǎi dào xiǎng yào de dōng xi

Online shopping is very convenient now; you can buy what you want without leaving home.
167 身不由己 shēn bù yóu jǐ — beyond one's control; involuntary; unable to act of one's own free will HSK 7
- 身 body, oneself, one's person
- 不 not (negation marker)
- 由 by, from, through (indicates agency or source)
- 己 self, oneself (emphasizes personal agency)
Example

在那种情况下，我也是身不由己。

zài nà zhǒng qíng kuàng xià wǒ yě shì shēn bù yóu jǐ

In that situation, I also had no choice.
168 过不去 guò bu qù — cannot get through; cannot pass; cannot get over HSK 7
- 过 to pass; to cross; to go through
- 不 not; cannot (negation marker)
- 去 to go (directional complement indicating movement away)
Example

这条路太窄了，车过不去。

zhè tiáo lù tài zhǎi le chē guò bu qù

This road is too narrow, cars cannot get through.
169 过意不去 guò yì bú qù — feel apologetic HSK 7
- 过 pass through (one's mind/conscience)
- 意 feelings, conscience
- 不 not
- 去 go away, be dismissed
Example

你帮了我这么多忙，我真是过意不去。

nǐ bāng le wǒ zhè me duō máng wǒ zhēn shì guò yì bú qù

You've helped me so much, I really feel apologetic.
170 迫不及待 pò bù jí dài — can't wait HSK 7
- 迫 urgent, pressed
- 不 not, cannot
- 及 reach, in time
- 待 wait
Example

他迫不及待地打开了礼物。

tā pò bù jí dài de dǎ kāi le lǐ wù

He couldn't wait to open the gift.
171 锲而不舍 qiè ér bù shě — persistent; to persevere unrelentingly HSK 7
- 锲 to carve; represents continuous effort
- 而 and; conjunction linking the action with not stopping
- 不 not; negation indicating the absence of giving up
- 舍 to give up; what is not done in perseverance
Example

他锲而不舍地学习中文，终于通过了考试。

tā qiè ér bù shě de xué xí zhōng wén zhōng yú tōng guò le kǎo shì

He persistently studied Chinese and finally passed the exam.