不好意思 (bù hǎo yìsi)

不好意思 literally means "not good feeling/meaning" and expresses embarrassment, shyness, or a polite apology for causing inconvenience. It covers the gap between a full apology (对不起) and simple awkwardness.

Meanings

[adjective] Embarrassed; shy; feeling awkward in a social situation.
[expression] Sorry to trouble you; excuse me (polite phrase before making a request or after a minor imposition).

Example Sentences

不好意思，我来晚了。 Bù hǎo yìsi, wǒ lái wǎn le. Sorry, I arrived late.

他被夸奖了，不好意思地笑了笑。 Tā bèi kuājiǎng le, bù hǎo yìsi de xiào le xiào. He was praised and smiled shyly, feeling a little embarrassed.

不好意思，能帮我拍张照片吗？ Bù hǎo yìsi, néng bāng wǒ pāi zhāng zhàopiàn ma? Excuse me, could you take a photo for me?

我不好意思开口问他借钱。 Wǒ bù hǎo yìsi kāikǒu wèn tā jiè qián. I feel too awkward to ask him for money.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
不好意思说	feel embarrassed to say
不好意思开口	feel too shy to speak up
不好意思地笑	smile shyly/apologetically
感到不好意思	feel embarrassed
不好意思打扰	sorry to disturb you

Memory Hook

好意思 means "have the nerve / feel okay about something." Flip it with 不 and you get "not have the nerve" — you are too bashful or apologetic to act without acknowledging the awkwardness.