adjective HSK 2
Traditional 不高興
unhappy · displeased · in a bad mood
Meaning
不高兴 literally means 'not happy' and describes a state of being unhappy, displeased, or in a bad mood. It's commonly used to express mild to moderate dissatisfaction or unhappiness, often in response to something someone said or did.
Usage
This is a straightforward and commonly used expression in everyday conversation. It's appropriate for all registers and can describe both temporary moods and reactions to specific events. Often used when someone is upset or offended by something. Can be intensified with 很 (hěn) to mean 'very unhappy.'
Examples
- 01他今天看起来很不高兴。.He looks very unhappy today.
- 02你说的话让她不高兴了。.What you said made her unhappy.
Characters
Common collocations
- 很不高兴very unhappy
- 有点不高兴a bit unhappy
- 让人不高兴to make someone unhappy
- 别不高兴don't be unhappy
Antonyms
Origin
Formed by negating 高兴 (gāoxìng, 'happy'), which literally means 'high spirits.' The character 兴 originally referred to rising or flourishing spirits.