爱抱怨的中国司机和外国女学生

What does “不好意思” mean in Chinese?

不好意思 covers a spectrum English splits into several phrases: “excuse me,” “sorry to bother you,” and “how embarrassing.” It’s lighter than 对不起 — more blush than guilt. In this story a student’s moving boxes stuff her driver’s car to the roof; she 觉得不好意思 — feels awkward about the trouble she’s causing — and the silence in that car is exactly the feeling the phrase names.

It also means “too embarrassed to”: 我不好意思问 — “I’m too shy to ask.” The story turns when she spots the driver using 微信 (WeChat), realizes he’s Chinese, and switches languages — at which point he cheerfully starts interrogating her about why her boyfriend isn’t Chinese. The awkwardness survives the translation.