不三不四 (bù sān bù sì) — dubious; shady; neither respectable nor proper (of a person's character or behavior)

Definition

A set phrase meaning 'shady, dubious' — used for a person's character, behavior, or words that seem improper. Often modifies a noun (不三不四的 朋友 / 话).

verb
dubiousshadyneither respectable nor proper (of a person's character or behavior)

Examples

  • 不三不四
    Tā jiāo le yì bāng bù sān bù sì de péng you, jiā lǐ rén dōu hěn dān xīn.
    He made friends with a bunch of shady people, and his family is very worried.
  • 不三不四
    Zhè ge rén bù sān bù sì de, bié gēn tā zǒu dé tài jìn.
    This person is dubious—don't get too close to him.
  • 不三不四
    Nà zhǒng bù sān bù sì de huà, nǐ zuì hǎo shǎo shuō.
    You'd better stop saying that kind of inappropriate talk.

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