Meanings of 不愧
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Podcast: 不愧
Podcast: 不愧
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AI Study Notes for 不愧
不愧 (búkuì) vs 不负 (bùfù) — use 不愧 when emphasizing deserving recognition, while 不负 focuses on living up to expectations without necessarily implying recognition.
Think of the character 不 (bù) as a 'no' sign, implying the absence of doubt, and 愧 (kuì) as a person bowing in shame. Together, they suggest that there is no shame in being worthy, reinforcing the idea of deserving praise. Imagine a proud student receiving an award without shame, proving they are truly worthy.
This word is typically used in more formal contexts, often when discussing achievements or commendable qualities. Be careful not to confuse it with 亏 (kuī), which has a negative connotation. Common collocations include 不愧于心 and 不愧于称号.
As an HSK 6 word, 不愧 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to evaluation and recognition. Focus on using it in sentences that express admiration or validation, especially in discussions about personal or professional achievements.
不愧 is often used in contexts where meritocracy is valued, such as in education or the workplace, reflecting the cultural significance placed on hard work and accomplishment in Chinese society.
Learners often confuse 不愧 with 不亏 (bù kuī), which has a different meaning related to loss or deficiency. A wrong example would be saying '他不亏于这个称号' instead of '他不愧于这个称号'.
Pronunciation of 不愧
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Component Characters
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Grammar Patterns of 不愧
不愧 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 3 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.
Complete the Sentence
鸿 渐 道: “ 董先生____系出名门!
Hung - chien said, " Mr. Tung does indeed come from an illustrious family!
Example Sentences for 不愧 (1)
Cultural Notes for 不愧
不愧 is often used in contexts where meritocracy is valued, such as in education or the workplace, reflecting the cultural significance placed on hard work and accomplishment in Chinese society.
In Western cultures, the idea of merit may be less formalized, with more emphasis on individualism, whereas in Chinese culture, collective recognition and fulfilling societal roles play a significant part in how worthiness is perceived.
Frequently Asked Questions about 不愧
Yes, you can use 不愧 to describe a team's performance if you feel they truly deserve the praise or title they received.