In 15 Seconds
- Use it when you are unsure about a future outcome.
- A polite way to avoid giving a direct 'no' or 'yes'.
- Perfect for complicated situations that require a long explanation.
Meaning
This is your go-to phrase when you aren't sure about something or want to avoid giving a direct 'yes' or 'no'. It literally means 'not easy to say,' and it's perfect for when things are complicated or unpredictable.
Key Examples
3 of 6Predicting the weather
明天会下雨吗？不好说。
Will it rain tomorrow? Hard to say.
Asking about a romantic spark
你觉得他喜欢你吗？不好说，他很害羞。
Do you think he likes you? Hard to say, he is very shy.
In a business meeting regarding a deadline
下周能完成吗？现在还不好说。
Can we finish by next week? It's hard to say right now.
Cultural Background
This phrase reflects the Chinese cultural preference for 'indirectness' and 'modesty.' By saying something is 'hard to say,' you avoid appearing overconfident or accidentally offending someone with a blunt opinion. It has been a staple of daily conversation for centuries as a way to navigate social ambiguity.
The 'Polite No'
If someone asks for a favor and you say `不好说` with a sigh, they usually know it's a soft 'no.' It's a way to decline without being blunt.
Don't be too vague
Using this too much in a business setting can make you seem indecisive. Use it to buy time, but follow up with facts when you can!
In 15 Seconds
- Use it when you are unsure about a future outcome.
- A polite way to avoid giving a direct 'no' or 'yes'.
- Perfect for complicated situations that require a long explanation.
What It Means
不好说 is a versatile Swiss Army knife of a phrase. It means something is uncertain, complicated, or just plain awkward to explain. You use it when you don't have a clear answer. It isn't just about being 'hard' to speak. It is about the situation being up in the air.
How To Use It
Drop it at the start of a sentence or use it as a standalone answer. If someone asks if it will rain, you say 不好说. If they ask if your boss is in a good mood, 不好说 works there too. It acts as a polite buffer. It saves you from being wrong if things change later.
When To Use It
Use it when predicting the future, like sports scores or weather. It is great for sensitive topics where you want to stay neutral. Use it at work when a project deadline is looking shaky. It’s also perfect for gossip when you know something but shouldn't tell. It keeps your secrets safe while acknowledging the drama.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for simple facts. If someone asks if you have a sister, don't say 不好说. That just sounds creepy or like you've forgotten your family. Avoid it when a clear 'yes' or 'no' is required for safety. If a doctor asks if you're allergic to peanuts, be direct. Don't be 'mysterious' with your health.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture often values 'mianzi' or saving face. Giving a direct 'no' can feel too harsh or aggressive. 不好说 allows everyone to stay comfortable. It provides a 'gray area' that is culturally very common in social interactions. It’s the ultimate tool for maintaining harmony while being honest about uncertainty.
Common Variations
If you want to sound more formal, try 很难说. It means the exact same thing but feels a bit more 'bookish.' In casual texting, you might just see bhs as an acronym. If something is truly impossible to describe, you might say 说不准. That one focuses more on the 'unpredictable' side of things.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for almost any social situation. Just be careful not to use it for simple factual questions where a clear answer is expected.
The 'Polite No'
If someone asks for a favor and you say `不好说` with a sigh, they usually know it's a soft 'no.' It's a way to decline without being blunt.
Don't be too vague
Using this too much in a business setting can make you seem indecisive. Use it to buy time, but follow up with facts when you can!
The 'BHS' Acronym
Young people in China often use the pinyin initials 'bhs' in bullet chats (danmu) or social media comments to mean 'hard to say' or 'no comment'.
Examples
6明天会下雨吗？不好说。
Will it rain tomorrow? Hard to say.
A classic use for unpredictable natural events.
你觉得他喜欢你吗？不好说，他很害羞。
Do you think he likes you? Hard to say, he is very shy.
Used here to express uncertainty about someone's feelings.
下周能完成吗？现在还不好说。
Can we finish by next week? It's hard to say right now.
Professional way to manage expectations without over-promising.
晚上的派对好玩吗？不好说，看谁会去吧。
Will the party tonight be fun? Hard to say, depends on who goes.
Casual social speculation.
巧克力加辣椒？味道不好说……
Chocolate with chili? The taste is... hard to describe.
Humorous use when something is surprisingly strange.
他们的关系一直不好说。
Their relationship has always been complicated/hard to talk about.
Used for sensitive or messy personal topics.
Test Yourself
Choose the best response for when you aren't sure if a movie is good.
这部电影好看吗？ ___，每个人的眼光不一样。
`不好说` is the perfect fit here because the quality of a movie is subjective and 'hard to say' for everyone.
Which phrase fits a situation where a project's success is uncertain?
我们能赢吗？现在还 ___。
`现在还不好说` is a very common set phrase meaning 'it's still too early to tell.'
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 'Hard to Say'
Used with friends or family.
谁赢？不好说。
Standard daily use in shops or offices.
这个不好说。
Used in writing or speeches.
目前很难说。
When to use 不好说
Weather Forecast
Will it snow?
Office Politics
Will he get promoted?
Subjective Tastes
Is this soup tasty?
Future Success
Will the team win?
Practice Bank
2 exercises这部电影好看吗？ ___，每个人的眼光不一样。
`不好说` is the perfect fit here because the quality of a movie is subjective and 'hard to say' for everyone.
我们能赢吗？现在还 ___。
`现在还不好说` is a very common set phrase meaning 'it's still too early to tell.'
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it doesn't mean you have a sore throat! It means the situation is too complex or uncertain to give a simple answer, like 明天的事不好说 (Tomorrow's matters are hard to say).
Not necessarily. It is neutral. However, adding 现在还... (currently still...) makes it sound more professional, as in 现在还不好说.
They are almost identical. 很难说 is slightly more formal and literally means 'very hard to say,' while 不好说 is more common in spoken, everyday Chinese.
Yes! If you say 这个人不好说, it implies the person is complicated, mysterious, or perhaps has a questionable character.
Close, but not quite. 不知道 (I don't know) is about your lack of knowledge. 不好说 implies that the answer itself is currently impossible to determine.
Yes, if the taste is strange or hard to describe, you can say 味道不好说. It's a polite way to avoid saying it tastes bad!
You can use 难以断言 (nányǐ duànyán) in very formal writing, but in 99% of cases, 很难说 or 不好说 is perfectly fine.
Usually, yes. But sometimes it is used to avoid gossip. If someone asks for a secret, 不好说 means 'I'm not comfortable talking about that.'
Yes, to show you disagree without being aggressive. 那可不好说 (That's hard to say/I'm not so sure about that) is a common rebuttal.
Yes, this is a standard Mandarin expression used throughout mainland China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
Related Phrases
很难说
Very hard to say (slightly more formal).
说不准
Can't say for sure / Unpredictable.
看情况
Depends on the situation.
谁知道呢
Who knows?
