Meanings of 倒霉
By ear
Play it, then pick what 倒霉 means.
About 倒霉
Podcast: 倒霉
Podcast: 倒霉
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 倒霉
倒霉 (dǎoméi) vs 碰壁 (pèngbì) — use 倒霉 to emphasize bad luck or misfortune, while 碰壁 focuses on encountering obstacles or failures.
Be cautious with tone; using the wrong tones can change the meaning entirely. This expression is usually informal, so it may not be suitable for formal writing or serious discussions. Common collocations include '倒霉的事' (unlucky event) or '真倒霉' (really unlucky).
As an HSK Level 5 word, 倒霉 connects with other expressions of emotion and experience. Focus on using it in conversation to describe personal experiences, helping expand vocabulary related to feelings and situations.
Learners often confuse 倒霉 with 幸运 (xìngyùn) which means lucky. A common mistake is saying '我倒霉的' instead of '我倒霉', as the additional 的 is unnecessary and incorrect in this context.
Pronunciation of 倒霉
Drill the tone of 倒霉 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 倒霉 to You
Let me explain 倒霉 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 倒霉 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 倒霉?
Learning Lab
Knowing 倒霉 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 to have bad luck in Chinese
“to have bad luck” in Chinese is倒霉
The phrase 倒霉 (dǎoméi) refers to experiencing bad luck or misfortune. It is commonly used in informal contexts to express frustration over unfortunate events or situations, such as losing something valuable or facing unexpected problems.
When to use 倒霉
Be cautious with tone; using the wrong tones can change the meaning entirely. This expression is usually informal, so it may not be suitable for formal writing or serious discussions. Common collocations include '倒霉的事' (unlucky event) or '真倒霉' (really unlucky).
倒霉 or something close to it
倒霉 (dǎoméi) vs 碰壁 (pèngbì) — use 倒霉 to emphasize bad luck or misfortune, while 碰壁 focuses on encountering obstacles or failures.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 倒霉 with 幸运 (xìngyùn) which means lucky. A common mistake is saying '我倒霉的' instead of '我倒霉', as the additional 的 is unnecessary and incorrect in this context.
Write 倒霉
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 倒霉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 倒霉
倒霉 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
最后我就是无法做到在吉米____时落井下石。
In the end I just couldn't kick Jimmy when he was down.
Example Sentences for 倒霉 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 倒霉?
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 300 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 倒霉
No, 倒霉 is generally used in casual conversations and is not appropriate for formal writing or professional settings.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 倒霉?
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.