不愧
bù kuì HSK 6

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

他不愧是优秀的学生。
Tā búkuì shì yōuxiù de xuéshēng.
He is worthy of being called an excellent student.
她不愧为经验丰富的医生。
Tā búkuì wéi jīngyàn fēngfù de yīshēng.
She deserves to be called an experienced doctor.
这产品不愧是世界名牌。
Zhè chǎnpǐn búkuì shì shìjiè míngpái.
This product is worthy of being a world-famous brand.
他不愧是冠军。
Tā búkuì shì guànjūn.
He is truly the champion.
她不愧是好老师。
Tā búkuì shì hǎo lǎoshī.
She is indeed a good teacher.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 不 (bù) means 'not,' and 愧 (kuì) means 'ashamed.' Think: 'not ashamed' → someone who has no reason to be ashamed because they are worthy of praise. Associate it with situations where someone 'lives up to the hype.'

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese, often in praise or acknowledgment. It commonly appears in contexts like compliments, reviews, or descriptions of achievements, typically followed by a title or description (e.g., '不愧是老师' - worthy of being called a teacher).

📖 Grammar Points

Often used in the pattern: Subject + 不愧 + (是/为) + noun/phrase (e.g., 他不愧是冠军 - He is worthy of being called a champion). It can also stand alone as 不愧 in some contexts, but usually requires a complement to complete the meaning.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 不愧 is often used to show respect or admiration, reflecting values like humility and recognition of others' merits. It may imply that someone has upheld honor or tradition, aligning with cultural emphasis on reputation and social expectations.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 值得 (zhídé, 'to be worth'), but 不愧 specifically highlights living up to a reputation or expectation, while 值得 is broader for general worthiness. Unlike 当然 (dāngrán, 'of course'), 不愧 implies a judgment based on merit.

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