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March 24, 2026
不安bù’ān(bu4an1)
不安 describes a state of feeling uneasy or disturbed, often due to anxiety or instability. It can refer to both emotional discomfort and a lack of peace in various contexts, including personal situations, environments, or even relationships.
Frequency#3044DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 不安 can be seen as a reflection of one's moral or social obligations. It is not only about personal feelings but can also relate to societal expectations, making the concept more complex than just emotional discomfort.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person sitting uncomfortably on a rocking chair (不) that keeps moving, symbolizing instability and unease (安). The '不' sounds like 'boo,' as if something frightening is causing this unrest, helping you remember that 不安 means 'uneasy.'
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AI Study Notes for 不安
Quick Contrast
焦虑 (jiāolǜ) - use 不安 for a broader sense of unease, while 焦虑 specifically emphasizes anxiety.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person sitting uncomfortably on a rocking chair (不) that keeps moving, symbolizing instability and unease (安). The '不' sounds like 'boo,' as if something frightening is causing this unrest, helping you remember that 不安 means 'uneasy.'
Usage Notes
不安 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts; however, it leans towards a more serious tone. Common collocations include '心情不安' (feeling uneasy) and '情绪不安' (emotional unrest). Be careful with the tones: the first syllable is pronounced with a falling tone, while the second is high and level.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 不安 connects well with other emotional and psychological vocabulary like '焦虑' (anxious) and '烦恼' (worried). Focus on using it in sentences describing feelings or situations to build fluency.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 不安 can be seen as a reflection of one's moral or social obligations. It is not only about personal feelings but can also relate to societal expectations, making the concept more complex than just emotional discomfort.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 不安 with 安全 (safe). For example, saying '我觉得安全' (I feel uneasy) instead of '我觉得不安' is incorrect; the correct use should be 不安 for feelings of unease.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 不安
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Grammar Patterns of 不安
不安 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 6 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
许多校舍____全，有些简直是摇摇欲坠。
Many school buildings are unsafe, and some are falling apart.
"Well," I said, grinding my cigarette nervously into the granite step.
Cultural Notes for 不安
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being 不安 can be seen as a reflection of one's moral or social obligations. It is not only about personal feelings but can also relate to societal expectations, making the concept more complex than just emotional discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions about 不安
You can say '我对未来感到不安' (I feel uneasy about the future).
No, it can also describe physical environments or situations that feel unstable or unsafe.
You might use '焦虑' (anxious) or '烦恼' (worried) as similar terms.
