好意思 (hǎo yì si) — to have the nerve (to do something); to be brazen enough to

Definition

好意思 (hǎo yì si) is used in questions and negatives to mean 'have the nerve / be shameless enough (to do something)'. It contrasts with 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si), which means 'to feel embarrassed / to be sorry (excuse me)'.

adjective
to have the nerve (to do something)to be brazen enough to

Examples

  • 好意思
    Nǐ zuò le cuò shì, hái hǎo yì si lái pī píng wǒ?
    You made a mistake and still have the nerve to criticize me?
  • 好意思
    Tā zǒng chí dào, zěn me hǎo yì si shuō bié rén ne?
    He is always late — how does he have the nerve to talk about others?
  • 好意思
    Jiè le qián bù hái, nǐ zhēn shì hǎo yì si a!
    You borrowed money and didn't pay it back — you really have some nerve!

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