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!
Origin
Compound word构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head
The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.
In 好意思, 好 presents the 意思 of face or conscience as good, giving the sense of having the nerve.
Appears in
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