Keywords: bu shufu, bù shūfu, 不舒服, how to say sick in Chinese, unwell in Chinese, uncomfortable in Chinese, feeling bad Chinese, Chinese for not feeling well, awkward in Chinese, Mandarin sick
Summary: “不舒服” (bù shūfu) is an essential Mandarin Chinese term for any beginner. It most commonly means “unwell” or “sick,” but its versatility extends to expressing emotional discomfort, awkwardness, or general unease. Learning to use “不舒服” is key to communicating basic needs, like telling a doctor you're not feeling well, and navigating social situations with nuance, making it a cornerstone of practical, everyday Chinese.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): bù shūfu
Part of Speech: Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 2
Concise Definition: To feel physically unwell or emotionally/situationally uncomfortable.
In a Nutshell: “不舒服” is your go-to phrase for expressing that you're not feeling right. It's the most common and general way to say you're sick, whether it's a stomachache, a headache, or just a general feeling of being “off.” Beyond physical illness, it's also used to describe a feeling of awkwardness or unease in a situation, like watching a cringey movie or being in a stuffy room. It's a soft, versatile, and incredibly common term.
Character Breakdown
不 (bù): The universal negation particle in Chinese, meaning “not” or “no.”
舒 (shū): This character means “to relax,” “to stretch,” or “at ease.” It evokes a feeling of relief and comfort.
服 (fú): While it can mean “clothes” or “to serve,” in this context, it combines with 舒 to form “舒服” (shūfu), meaning “comfortable.” The original sense might relate to clothes that fit well and feel good.
Together, the logic is very direct: 不 (not) + 舒服 (comfortable) = 不舒服 (uncomfortable / unwell).
Cultural Context and Significance
“不舒服” is a perfect example of the preference for indirectness and subtlety in Chinese communication. While in English you might say “I'm sick,” which can sound quite direct and definitive, saying “我有点不舒服” (Wǒ yǒudiǎn bù shūfu - I'm a little unwell) is a much softer and more common way to express the same idea. It leaves room for ambiguity and is less dramatic.
This indirectness is especially important when expressing emotional or social discomfort. In many Western cultures, it's common to directly state an opinion, like “I find this topic inappropriate.” In a Chinese context, a more common approach would be to express a personal feeling, such as “听了以后，我心里有点不舒服” (Tīngle yǐhòu, wǒ xīnlǐ yǒudiǎn bù shūfu - After hearing that, I feel a bit uncomfortable in my heart). This shifts the focus from judging the topic to expressing a personal feeling, which is perceived as less confrontational and helps maintain social harmony (和 - hé). It's a way of signaling displeasure without causing the other person to lose face (面子 - miànzi).
Practical Usage in Modern China
Expressing Physical Sickness: This is the most frequent usage. It's the first thing you'll say when calling in sick to work, telling a friend you can't make it, or explaining your symptoms to a doctor. It's a general term that usually requires follow-up questions like “哪里不舒服?” (Nǎlǐ bù shūfu? - Where does it feel uncomfortable?).
Describing Emotional Discomfort: You can use it to describe feeling awkward, embarrassed, or emotionally upset. For example, if two friends are arguing in front of you, you might say the situation makes you feel “不舒服.”
As a Polite Excuse: “我今天有点不舒服” (I'm a little unwell today) is a universally accepted and very common polite excuse to decline an invitation, leave a party early, or get out of a commitment. It's rarely questioned and is considered a soft, face-saving way to say no.
Situational Discomfort: It can also describe physical discomfort caused by the environment, such as a room that is too hot, a seat that is hard, or a smell that is unpleasant. The focus is on your *body's reaction* to the environment.
English: This pair of shoes is too small, it's very uncomfortable to wear them.
Analysis: This shows that the discomfort is a result of an action (“穿着” - wearing). It's not the shoe itself that *is* “不舒服”, but the act of wearing it *makes you feel* “不舒服”.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Confusing it with “sick.”
While “不舒服” is the best way to say you're sick, it's broader than the English word. It can describe a very mild feeling. A learner might hear “我今天不舒服” and assume the person has the flu, when they may just have a slight headache or feel tired. The term 生病 (shēngbìng) is closer to the English concept of “to fall ill.”
Mistake 2: Applying it to objects directly.
An English speaker might want to say “This chair is uncomfortable” and translate it literally as “这个椅子不舒服 (Zhège yǐzi bù shūfu).” This is incorrect. “不舒服” describes a living being's feeling. You must state who is feeling uncomfortable.
Correct: “坐在这个椅子上很不舒服” (Zuò zài zhège yǐzi shàng hěn bù shūfu - Sitting on this chair is very uncomfortable.) OR “这个椅子不好坐” (Zhège yǐzi bù hǎo zuò - This chair isn't good to sit on.)
Nuance: Physical vs. Emotional.
The default meaning is physical. If you just say “我不舒服,” people will assume you are physically ill. To clarify emotional discomfort, it's common to add “心里 (xīnlǐ - in my heart/mind)” or explain the situation, as in Example 4 and 7.
Related Terms and Concepts
舒服 (shūfu): The direct antonym, meaning “comfortable” or “feeling well.”
生病 (shēngbìng): A verb phrase meaning “to get sick” or “to fall ill.” It's more definitive than the general feeling of “不舒服.” You feel “不舒服” first, and then the doctor tells you that you have “生病了.”
难受 (nánshòu): Means “hard to bear” or “unbearable.” It's a stronger feeling than “不舒服” and can describe intense physical pain or deep emotional sadness.
疼 (téng) / 痛 (tòng): These characters both mean “pain” or “ache.” They are more specific. If you feel “不舒服,” someone will ask where, and you might reply “我头疼” (Wǒ tóu téng - I have a headache).
尴尬 (gāngà): The specific word for “awkward” or “embarrassed” in a social situation. If a situation is merely “不舒服” it's a bit awkward, but if it's “尴尬” it's truly cringey or embarrassing.
不适 (búshì): A more formal, often written, term for “unwell,” “indisposed,” or “discomfort.” You might see it in a public notice or a medical text, e.g., “如有不适，请立即就医” (If you experience any discomfort, please seek medical attention immediately).
别扭 (bièniu): Means “awkward” or “unnatural.” It can describe a difficult person, a strained relationship, or a feeling of unease that is similar to the emotional side of “不舒服.”