不耐烦
Traditional: 不耐煩
bù nài fán HSK 5

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

他等得不耐烦了。
Tā děng de búnàifán le.
He became impatient from waiting.
她不耐烦地看了看手表。
Tā búnàifán de kànle kàn shǒubiǎo.
She looked at her watch impatiently.
孩子开始不耐烦了。
Háizi kāishǐ búnàifán le.
The child is starting to get irritated.
他不耐烦了。
Tā bú nài fán le.
He is impatient.
妈妈不耐烦。
Māma bú nài fán.
Mom is annoyed.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 不 (bù, 'not') + 耐烦 (nàifán, 'patient/tolerant') literally means 'not patient.' Think of someone saying 'I can't take this anymore!' when they're 不耐烦.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in register and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese, in formal and informal contexts. It commonly appears in situations involving waiting, slow processes, or repetitive behaviors that cause frustration.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used as a predicate (e.g., 他不耐烦了) or as an adverbial modifier with 地 (e.g., 不耐烦地摇头). It can follow verbs like 等, 听, or 看 to indicate impatience with an action (e.g., 等得不耐烦).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, openly showing impatience may be viewed as lacking self-control or being disrespectful, especially in formal or hierarchical settings. It's often softened in communication to maintain harmony.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 着急 (zháojí, 'anxious/worried'), but 不耐烦 emphasizes irritation from annoyance rather than anxiety from urgency. It also differs from 烦躁 (fánzào, 'agitated/restless'), which implies a broader, more intense emotional disturbance.

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