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How to Say ‘Excuse me’ in Simplified Chinese

不好意思

bù hǎo yì sī

[bù hǎoyìsi]

🇨🇳 In China: [不好意思] is the everyday softener for small things: getting past someone, calling attention, minor embarrassment, or a light apology. It's often gentler and more natural in daily life than [对不起].

Phrase Breakdown

不好意思

bù hǎo yì sī

[bù hǎoyìsi]

sorry/excuse me

Used to apologize for minor inconveniences.

Example

不好意思,我来晚了。

Sorry, I am late.

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