Meanings of 不宜
By ear
Play it, then pick what 不宜 means.
About 不宜
Podcast: 不宜
Podcast: 不宜
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 不宜
不适合 (bù shì hé) — use 不宜 (bù yí) in formal contexts where caution is emphasized, while 不适合 (bù shì hé) is more general.
Learners often confuse 不宜 with 不可以 (bù kě yǐ), which means 'not allowed.' 不宜 is less about prohibition and more about advisability. It is typically used in formal settings, so ensure you use it in the correct context to maintain the appropriate register.
While 不宜 is not an official HSK word, it aligns with HSK Level 4 vocabulary concerning advice and recommendations. Students should focus on understanding its usage in contexts involving suggestions or cautionary advice, often found in health or safety communications.
Learners often mistakenly use 不宜 in place of 不可以 (bù kě yǐ) when they mean to express prohibition. For example, saying '在这里吸烟是不宜' (Smoking here is not allowed) should instead be '在这里吸烟是不可以.'
Pronunciation of 不宜
Drill the tone of 不宜, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 不宜 to you
Let me explain 不宜 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 不宜 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 不宜?
Learning Lab
Knowing 不宜 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 not suitable in Chinese
“not suitable” in Chinese is不宜
不宜 (bù yí) means 'not suitable' or 'inadvisable.' It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as official documents or recommendations, to indicate that a certain action or behavior is inappropriate or not recommended. The nuance of this term implies a degree of caution or warning regarding the suitability of a situation.
When to use 不宜
Learners often confuse 不宜 with 不可以 (bù kě yǐ), which means 'not allowed.' 不宜 is less about prohibition and more about advisability. It is typically used in formal settings, so ensure you use it in the correct context to maintain the appropriate register.
不宜 or something close to it
不适合 (bù shì hé) — use 不宜 (bù yí) in formal contexts where caution is emphasized, while 不适合 (bù shì hé) is more general.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 不宜 in place of 不可以 (bù kě yǐ) when they mean to express prohibition. For example, saying '在这里吸烟是不宜' (Smoking here is not allowed) should instead be '在这里吸烟是不可以.'
Write 不宜
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 不宜 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 不宜?
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.
Frequently asked questions about 不宜
It is best to use 不宜 in formal situations, as it sounds too serious for casual conversation.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 不宜?
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.