Meanings of 不起眼
By ear
Play it, then pick what 不起眼 means.
About 不起眼
Podcast: 不起眼
Podcast: 不起眼
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 不起眼
不起眼 (unremarkable) vs 平凡 (ordinary) — use 不起眼 when emphasizing lack of noticeability, while 平凡 highlights the quality of being common or average.
Be cautious with the tone; '不起眼' is neutral and should not be used in overly formal contexts. Common collocations include '不起眼的事物' (unremarkable things) and '不起眼的地方' (ordinary places). Avoid using it to describe people in a derogatory manner.
Although 不起眼 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to HSK Level 3 words like '普通' (ordinary) and '常见' (common). Students should focus on understanding the nuances of describing things and people in a more subtle manner.
Learners often confuse 不起眼 with more negative words like '无用' (useless) or '无聊' (boring). For example, saying '这个人真的不起眼' can imply a harsh judgment, whereas it should be used for inanimate objects or situations.
Pronunciation of 不起眼
Drill the tone of 不起眼, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 不起眼 to you
Let me explain 不起眼 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 不起眼 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 不起眼?
Learning Lab
Knowing 不起眼 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component characters
How to say unremarkable in Chinese
“unremarkable” in Chinese is不起眼
不起眼 is an adjective that describes something that is unremarkable or not particularly noticeable. It is often used in contexts where something or someone does not attract attention or is considered ordinary among other more prominent options.
When to use 不起眼
Be cautious with the tone; '不起眼' is neutral and should not be used in overly formal contexts. Common collocations include '不起眼的事物' (unremarkable things) and '不起眼的地方' (ordinary places). Avoid using it to describe people in a derogatory manner.
不起眼 or something close to it
不起眼 (unremarkable) vs 平凡 (ordinary) — use 不起眼 when emphasizing lack of noticeability, while 平凡 highlights the quality of being common or average.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 不起眼 with more negative words like '无用' (useless) or '无聊' (boring). For example, saying '这个人真的不起眼' can imply a harsh judgment, whereas it should be used for inanimate objects or situations.
Write 不起眼
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 不起眼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 不起眼?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 不起眼
In Western cultures, being unremarkable is often seen as a negative trait, while in Chinese culture, it can sometimes be viewed positively as a sign of humility.
Frequently asked questions about 不起眼
It's best to avoid using 不起眼 to describe a person's character, as it may come off as rude or dismissive.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 不起眼?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.