Meanings of 不起眼
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Podcast: 不起眼
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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
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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
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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.
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