不健康 in 30 Seconds
- Means 'unhealthy' or 'not good for your health'.
- Often used for food, like fried snacks.
- Can also describe habits or lifestyles.
- Opposite of 健康 (jiàn kāng - healthy).
- Meaning
- The word 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) is an adjective that means 'unhealthy' or 'not good for your health'. It's a straightforward and widely understood term in Mandarin Chinese. When something is described as 不健康, it implies that it has negative effects on one's physical well-being, often due to a lack of nutritional value, excessive amounts of unhealthy components like sugar, fat, or salt, or harmful ingredients. It can also refer to habits or lifestyles that are detrimental to health.
Think of it as the direct opposite of 健康 (jiàn kāng), which means 'healthy'. So, if something is not healthy, it is 不健康.
People frequently use 不健康 when discussing food choices. For instance, many fast foods, sugary drinks, and overly processed snacks are labeled as 不健康. It's a common term in everyday conversations about diet and nutrition. Beyond food, the term can extend to lifestyle choices. For example, staying up too late every night, not exercising, or spending too much time indoors without fresh air can all be described as 不健康的生活方式 (bù jiàn kāng de shēng huó fāng shì - unhealthy lifestyle).
In essence, 不健康 serves as a simple yet effective way to express that something is not conducive to maintaining good health. It's a term you'll encounter often when learning about Chinese culture, food, and general well-being advice. It's an essential part of describing the quality of food and habits in relation to health.
Here are some common scenarios where you'll hear or use 不健康:- Scenario 1: Discussing Food
- When friends are deciding what to eat, one might say, 'Let's not eat fast food today, it's too 不健康.' (我们今天别吃快餐了，太不健康了。 Wǒmen jīntiān bié chī kuàicān le, tài bù jiàn kāng le.)
- Scenario 2: Giving Advice
- A parent might tell their child, 'Eating too many candies is 不健康.' (吃太多糖果不健康。 Chī tài duō tángguǒ bù jiàn kāng.)
- Scenario 3: Describing Habits
- Someone might reflect on their lifestyle and say, 'My sleep schedule is very 不健康.' (我的作息很不健康。 Wǒ de zuòxī hěn bù jiàn kāng.)
- Scenario 4: Reading Labels or Information
- When looking at nutritional information, if a product is high in unhealthy fats or sugar, it might be implicitly or explicitly described as 不健康.
- Scenario 5: General Health Discussions
- In a conversation about public health, one might discuss the prevalence of 不健康食品 (bù jiàn kāng shípǐn - unhealthy foods) in society.
This fried snack is very 不健康.
The adjective 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) can be used in several ways in Chinese sentences. It typically follows the noun it modifies, or it can be used predicatively after adverbs like 很 (hěn - very) or 非常 (fēicháng - extremely).
- As a Predicate
- This is the most common structure. You can say something 'is unhealthy' by using adverbs like 很 (hěn), 非常 (fēicháng), or 太 (tài - too). Often, in spoken Chinese, 很 (hěn) is used even when not emphasizing 'very'.
这个汉堡很不健康。
Translation: This hamburger is very unhealthy.
吃太多糖果对身体不健康。
Translation: Eating too many candies is unhealthy for the body.
- Modifying a Noun (with 的 de)
- You can use 不健康 as an adjective phrase before a noun by adding 的 (de). This is less common for very basic food items but can be used for more general descriptions.
我们应该少吃不健康的食物。
Translation: We should eat less unhealthy food.
这是一种不健康的生活方式。
Translation: This is an unhealthy lifestyle.
- In Questions
- You can form questions using 不健康, often with 吗 (ma) or by asking if something is unhealthy.
你觉得这个菜不健康吗？
Translation: Do you think this dish is unhealthy?
天天熬夜是不是不健康？
Translation: Is staying up late every day unhealthy?
- As a Response
- It can be used as a direct answer or comment.
A: 这个零食好吃吗？ B: 嗯，但是有点不健康。
Translation: A: Is this snack tasty? B: Yes, but it's a bit unhealthy.
不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) is a ubiquitous term in Chinese-speaking environments, particularly when discussing everyday life, food, and well-being. You'll hear it in a variety of common situations.
- Around Food and Meals
- This is perhaps the most frequent context. Imagine you're in a Chinese restaurant, at a friend's home for dinner, or browsing a supermarket. Conversations about fried foods, sugary drinks, processed snacks, and dishes high in oil or salt will inevitably involve the word 不健康. For example, someone might point to a plate of fried dumplings and say, 'This is delicious, but a bit 不健康.' Or when ordering, a parent might tell their child, 'Let's choose something healthier, that fried chicken is too 不健康.' You'll also hear it in discussions about traditional Chinese medicine, where certain foods might be deemed 不健康 for specific constitutions.
- Health and Lifestyle Advice
- Doctors, nutritionists, fitness trainers, and even friends giving advice will use 不健康. They might discuss 不健康的作息 (bù jiàn kāng de zuòxī - unhealthy sleep schedule), 不健康的习惯 (bù jiàn kāng de xíguàn - unhealthy habits), or a 不健康的生活方式 (bù jiàn kāng de shēng huó fāng shì - unhealthy lifestyle). This could be in the context of warnings about smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, or prolonged stress.
- Parenting and Children
- Parents often use this term when guiding their children's choices. 'Don't eat too much candy, it's 不健康!' or 'Playing video games all day is 不健康.' It's a simple way to communicate the importance of healthy habits to young ones.
- Media and Public Information
- Public health campaigns, articles in magazines or online about nutrition, and even advertisements (sometimes implicitly) might use 不健康 to warn consumers about certain products or behaviors. You might see headlines like 'Beware of These 5 不健康的 Foods' or 'How to Combat a 不健康 Lifestyle'.
- Everyday Conversations
- In casual chats with friends or colleagues, discussions about feeling tired, gaining weight, or general well-being can lead to the use of 不健康. 'I've been eating a lot of takeout lately, I feel so 不健康.' (我最近吃了很多外卖，感觉很不健康。 Wǒ zuìjìn chīle hěnduō wài mài, gǎnjué hěn bù jiàn kāng.)
This type of lifestyle is very 不健康.
While 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) is a straightforward adjective, learners might make a few common mistakes, often related to its usage in comparison to similar concepts or its grammatical placement.
- Mistake 1: Overusing '很' (hěn) or other adverbs
- Learners might feel compelled to always use '很' (hěn) before 不健康, even when it's not necessary or sounds unnatural. While '很不健康' (hěn bù jiàn kāng) is correct, simply saying '不健康' as a predicate is also perfectly fine, especially in informal contexts or when the unhealthiness is obvious. For example, '这个菜不健康' (Zhège cài bù jiàn kāng - This dish is unhealthy) is natural, though '这个菜很健康' (Zhège cài hěn bù jiàn kāng) is also common and perhaps more emphatic.
Incorrect: 这个菜很很不健康。
Correct: 这个菜不健康。 or 这个菜很不健康。
- Mistake 2: Confusing with '健康' (jiàn kāng) itself
- Sometimes learners might accidentally use 健康 (jiàn kāng - healthy) when they mean 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng - unhealthy), or vice versa. This is a basic vocabulary mix-up, but critical for meaning. Always double-check if you want to express the positive or negative state of health.
Incorrect: 这个蛋糕很健康。
Correct: 这个蛋糕很不健康。(This cake is very unhealthy.)
- Mistake 3: Using it for abstract concepts without context
- While 不健康 can describe lifestyles or habits, applying it too broadly to abstract concepts without a clear connection to physical well-being might sound awkward. For instance, saying 'This idea is 不健康' is usually not appropriate unless you're using it metaphorically in a very specific context, which is rare. Stick to its primary meaning related to physical health.
Awkward: 他的计划很不健康。
Better: 他的计划对公司发展很不健康。(His plan is very unhealthy for the company's development - metaphorical, but clearer.) Or more likely, use a different adjective like 'risky' or 'unsound'.
- Mistake 4: Grammatical placement with 的 (de)
- When modifying a noun directly, the 的 (de) is crucial. Forgetting it can lead to grammatical errors. For example, saying '不健康食物' instead of '不健康的食物' (bù jiàn kāng de shíwù - unhealthy food) is incorrect.
Incorrect: 我不喜欢不健康食物。
Correct: 我不喜欢不健康的食物。
While 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) is the most direct and common way to say 'unhealthy', there are other words and phrases that can convey similar meanings, depending on the nuance and context.
- Comparison: 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) vs. 有害 (yǒu hài)
- 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng): Means 'unhealthy'. It's generally used for things that are not good for your health, often implying a lack of nutrition or excess of things like fat, sugar, or salt. It's common for food and lifestyle.
有害 (yǒu hài): Means 'harmful' or 'detrimental'. This word carries a stronger sense of damage or negative impact. It can be used for things that are actively damaging, like pollution or toxic substances, or for actions that cause harm. While food can be 有害, 不健康 is more common for everyday dietary descriptions.
Example:
- 炸鸡不健康。(Fried chicken is unhealthy.)
- 抽烟对身体有害。(Smoking is harmful to the body.)
- Comparison: 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) vs. 坏 (huài)
- 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng): Specifically relates to health.
坏 (huài): Means 'bad' in a general sense. It can refer to moral badness, poor quality, or something broken. While sometimes 'bad' food might be considered 'unhealthy', 坏 is much broader. You wouldn't typically say food is 坏 unless it's spoiled.
Example:
- 这个食物不健康。(This food is unhealthy.)
- 这个苹果坏了。(This apple is rotten/bad.)
- Comparison: 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) vs. 没营养 (méi yíngyǎng)
- 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng): A general term for unhealthy.
没营养 (méi yíngyǎng): Means 'lacks nutrition' or 'nutritionally deficient'. This is a specific reason why something might be considered 不健康. A food can be 不健康 because it has too much sugar (没营养 is not the primary reason), or it can be 不健康 because it lacks vitamins and minerals (没营养 is the primary reason).
Example:
- 糖果不健康，而且没营养。(Candy is unhealthy, and it lacks nutrition.)
- 炸鸡不健康，因为它油太多。(Fried chicken is unhealthy because it has too much oil.)
- Comparison: 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) vs. 肥胖 (féipàng)
- 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng): Describes the quality of being unhealthy.
肥胖 (féipàng): Means 'obese' or 'fat'. This is a state of the body that can be a consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle or diet. Something that is 不健康 can lead to 肥胖, but 肥胖 itself is a condition, not a description of food.
Example:
- 长期吃不健康的食物容易导致肥胖。(Eating unhealthy food for a long time can easily lead to obesity.)
- Colloquial Alternatives
- Sometimes people might use more informal or descriptive phrases. For instance, instead of saying a food is 不健康, they might say it's '上火' (shàng huǒ - causes internal heat, a concept in TCM, often associated with greasy or spicy food) or simply '对身体不好' (duì shēntǐ bù hǎo - not good for the body), which is a more general statement.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The character 康 (kāng) has a long history, appearing in ancient texts. It often denoted well-being and prosperity, reflecting a holistic view of health that includes peace and absence of hardship. The combination with 健 (jiàn) solidified its meaning as robust health.
Pronunciation Guide
- Incorrect tones: Mispronouncing the tones (e.g., saying bù jian kāng instead of bù jiàn kāng) can change the meaning or make the word unintelligible.
- Confusing 'bù' with 'bú': The tone of 'bù' changes to 'bú' when followed by another fourth tone. However, in '不健康', 'jiàn' is the first tone, so 'bù' remains fourth tone.
- Incorrect vowel sounds: Ensuring the correct pronunciation of vowels like 'u' and 'a' is important.
- Incorrect consonant sounds: Differentiating between similar sounds like 'j' and 'q', or 'k' and 'g' is vital.
Difficulty Rating
The word itself is straightforward. Learners at A2 level can typically understand it in simple written contexts like food labels or basic advice. Difficulty increases with complex sentence structures or abstract applications.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Using adjectives as predicates with adverbs (e.g., 很, 非常, 太).
这个汉堡很不健康。
Using '的' to turn an adjective into a modifier for a noun.
我们应该少吃不健康的零食。
Forming questions with 吗 (ma).
你觉得这个饮料不健康吗？
Using negation with other verbs (e.g., 觉得, 认为, 知道).
我不觉得这个菜健康。
Using comparative structures (e.g., 比 bǐ).
这个比那个不健康。
Examples by Level
糖不健康。
Sugar is unhealthy.
Simple subject-predicate structure.
这个不健康。
This is unhealthy.
Pronoun as subject, predicate adjective.
我不吃不健康的。
I don't eat unhealthy things.
Using '的' to refer to 'things'.
薯片不健康。
Chips are unhealthy.
Noun as subject, predicate adjective.
喝可乐不健康。
Drinking cola is unhealthy.
Gerund phrase as subject.
这个不健康吗？
Is this unhealthy?
Question using 吗 (ma).
吃太多不健康。
Eating too much is unhealthy.
Verb phrase as subject.
这个不健康。
This is unhealthy.
Simple statement.
炸鸡太不健康了。
Fried chicken is too unhealthy.
'太...了' structure for emphasis.
我们应该少吃不健康的食物。
We should eat less unhealthy food.
Using '的' to modify a noun.
天天吃快餐很不健康。
Eating fast food every day is very unhealthy.
Adverb '很' used predicatively.
你觉得这个零食不健康吗？
Do you think this snack is unhealthy?
Question with '吗'.
这种生活方式很不健康。
This kind of lifestyle is very unhealthy.
Demonstrative pronoun '这种' + noun.
我不想吃不健康的东西。
I don't want to eat unhealthy things.
Negative statement with object.
这杯饮料看起来不健康。
This drink looks unhealthy.
Verb '看起来' (looks like).
为了健康，少吃不健康的。
For health, eat less unhealthy things.
Imperative sentence.
虽然这个蛋糕很好吃，但它太不健康了。
Although this cake is delicious, it is too unhealthy.
Using conjunction '虽然...但...' (although...but...).
我们应该尽量避免不健康的饮食习惯。
We should try our best to avoid unhealthy eating habits.
'尽量避免' (try to avoid) + object.
医生建议我减少摄入不健康的食品。
The doctor advised me to reduce my intake of unhealthy foods.
'减少摄入' (reduce intake) + object.
长期熬夜对身体非常不健康。
Staying up late for a long time is very unhealthy for the body.
Adverbial phrase of time + predicate.
很多速食食品都被认为是不健康的。
Many fast foods are considered unhealthy.
Passive voice implied ('被认为是').
与其吃这种不健康的零食，不如吃点水果。
Rather than eating this kind of unhealthy snack, it's better to eat some fruit.
'与其...不如...' (rather than...better to...).
他抱怨说他的工作环境有点不健康。
He complained that his work environment is a bit unhealthy.
Using '有点' (a bit) for nuance.
为了保持身材，我尽量不吃不健康的食物。
To maintain my figure, I try not to eat unhealthy foods.
Purpose clause + negation.
过度依赖加工食品可能导致一系列不健康的后果。
Over-reliance on processed foods can lead to a series of unhealthy consequences.
'一系列...的后果' (a series of...consequences).
公众对不健康饮食的认识还有待提高。
Public awareness of unhealthy diets still needs to be improved.
'对...的认识' (awareness of...).
这种宣传方式可能会诱导消费者购买不健康的产品。
This kind of advertising might induce consumers to buy unhealthy products.
'诱导...购买' (induce...to buy).
我们不应将所有高脂肪食物都视为不健康，关键在于适量。
We should not regard all high-fat foods as unhealthy; the key lies in moderation.
'不应将...视为...' (should not regard...as...).
他对自己的不健康生活习惯习以为常，不愿意做出改变。
He has become accustomed to his unhealthy lifestyle habits and is unwilling to make changes.
'习以为常' (become accustomed to).
现代社会中，许多人面临着由不健康的社会环境带来的压力。
In modern society, many people face stress brought about by unhealthy social environments.
'由...带来的压力' (stress brought about by...).
营养学家强调，即使是偶尔食用不健康的食物，也应注意平衡。
Nutritionists emphasize that even when occasionally consuming unhealthy foods, balance should be maintained.
'即使...也...' (even if...also...).
我们不应该仅仅因为某样东西不健康就完全排斥它。
We should not completely reject something just because it is unhealthy.
'仅仅因为...就...' (just because...then...).
长期暴露在充满压力的不健康环境中，会对个体的心理和生理健康造成深远影响。
Long-term exposure to a stressful and unhealthy environment can have profound effects on an individual's psychological and physiological health.
'暴露在...环境中' (exposed to...environment).
尽管有明确的健康指南，但许多人仍然难以摆脱不健康的消费习惯。
Despite clear health guidelines, many people still struggle to break free from unhealthy consumption habits.
'难以摆脱' (struggle to break free from).
社交媒体上充斥着大量关于完美身材的宣传，这可能无形中加剧了人们对不健康饮食的焦虑。
Social media is filled with a lot of propaganda about perfect bodies, which may invisibly exacerbate people's anxiety about unhealthy diets.
'充斥着' (filled with), '无形中加剧' (invisibly exacerbate).
我们不能简单地将所有高糖食品都归类为不健康，需要考虑其营养成分和食用量。
We cannot simply classify all high-sugar foods as unhealthy; their nutritional content and consumption amount need to be considered.
'归类为' (classify as), '需要考虑' (need to consider).
文化传统中的某些饮食习惯，在现代医学看来可能被认为是不健康的。
Certain dietary habits in cultural traditions might be considered unhealthy from the perspective of modern medicine.
'在...看来' (from the perspective of...).
过度的追求流行趋势，可能导致人们忽视了自身不健康的生活方式。
Excessive pursuit of trendy fads may lead people to ignore their own unhealthy lifestyles.
'过度的追求' (excessive pursuit).
教育体系应承担起引导青少年树立健康而非不健康的消费观念的责任。
The education system should take responsibility for guiding young people to establish healthy rather than unhealthy consumption concepts.
'树立...观念' (establish...concepts), '而非' (rather than).
在评估食物的营养价值时，不能仅仅关注其不健康的方面，也要考虑其可能带来的益处。
When evaluating the nutritional value of food, we cannot just focus on its unhealthy aspects; potential benefits should also be considered.
'不能仅仅关注...也要考虑...' (cannot just focus on...also need to consider...).
某些社会经济因素可能会固化不健康的生活模式，形成恶性循环。
Certain socioeconomic factors can solidify unhealthy life patterns, forming a vicious cycle.
'固化' (solidify), '恶性循环' (vicious cycle).
我们必须审慎地辨析，哪些所谓的‘健康食品’实际上可能隐藏着不健康的成分。
We must carefully discern which so-called 'healthy foods' may actually hide unhealthy ingredients.
'审慎地辨析' (carefully discern), '隐藏着' (hide).
全球化进程在带来便利的同时，也可能加剧了不健康的消费主义文化在全球范围内的传播。
While the globalization process brings convenience, it may also exacerbate the global spread of unhealthy consumerist culture.
'加剧了...的传播' (exacerbate the spread of...).
理解个体对不健康食物的偏好，需要结合心理学、社会学等多学科视角。
Understanding individuals' preferences for unhealthy foods requires combining perspectives from psychology, sociology, and other disciplines.
'结合...视角' (combine...perspectives).
在制定公共卫生政策时，必须充分考量不健康生活方式背后复杂的社会经济驱动因素。
When formulating public health policies, the complex socioeconomic driving factors behind unhealthy lifestyles must be fully considered.
'制定...政策' (formulate...policies), '驱动因素' (driving factors).
我们不能仅凭直觉就判定某种食物不健康，科学的评估是必不可少的。
We cannot judge a food as unhealthy based solely on intuition; scientific evaluation is indispensable.
'仅凭直觉' (solely on intuition), '必不可少' (indispensable).
文化变迁中，传统饮食的精髓可能被不健康的快餐文化所侵蚀。
In cultural transitions, the essence of traditional diets may be eroded by unhealthy fast-food culture.
'精髓' (essence), '被...所侵蚀' (be eroded by).
对于某些特定人群，即使是适量的不健康食物也可能引发显著的健康问题。
For certain specific groups, even moderate amounts of unhealthy food can trigger significant health problems.
'特定人群' (specific groups), '引发显著的' (trigger significant).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— It's too unhealthy.
这个蛋糕太甜了，太不健康了！
— Very unhealthy.
长时间看手机很不健康。
— A bit unhealthy.
这个小吃虽然好吃，但有点不健康。
— Unhealthy for the body.
喝太多含糖饮料对身体不健康。
— Eat less unhealthy things.
医生建议我们少吃不健康的。
— Not healthy (a more direct negation).
这个菜不是健康的，油太多了。
— An unhealthy life/lifestyle.
他过着不健康的生活。
— Unhealthy choices.
我做了很多不健康的选择。
— Unhealthy food.
我们应该避免不健康的食物。
— Unhealthy things.
我不想碰任何不健康的东西。
Often Confused With
This is the direct opposite, meaning 'healthy'. Confusing them would completely reverse the meaning.
'坏' means 'bad' in a general sense. While unhealthy food is bad, '坏' is not specific to health and is usually used for things that are spoiled or morally bad.
'有害' means 'harmful' and implies more direct damage. '不健康' is a broader term for things that are not good for health, often due to lack of nutrition or excess unhealthy components.
Easily Confused
It's the direct antonym and shares the same characters in reverse order.
'健康' (jiàn kāng) means 'healthy', describing something beneficial or good for one's physical state. '不健康' (bù jiàn kāng) means 'unhealthy', describing something detrimental or not good for one's physical state. They are opposites.
水果是健康的，但糖果是不健康的。
Both words relate to negative impacts on well-being.
'有害' (yǒu hài) implies direct harm or damage, often used for toxins, pollution, or actively damaging actions. '不健康' (bù jiàn kāng) is a more general term for things that are not good for health, often due to nutritional imbalance or excess unhealthy components, but not necessarily causing immediate damage.
化学物质对人体有害，而炸鸡是不健康的食物。
Lack of nutrition is a common reason for something to be unhealthy.
'没营养' (méi yíngyǎng) specifically means 'lacking nutrition' or 'nutritionally deficient'. '不健康' (bù jiàn kāng) is a broader term that can encompass lack of nutrition, but also excess of unhealthy elements (like sugar or fat) or other detrimental factors.
纯净水没营养，但它不一定不健康。而含糖饮料既不健康，也可能没营养。
Both describe something negative.
'坏' (huài) is a general term for 'bad', 'poor quality', or 'spoiled'. It's not specifically tied to health. '不健康' (bù jiàn kāng) specifically refers to something that is not good for one's physical well-being.
这个苹果坏了（spoiled），而这个汉堡不健康（unhealthy）。
Both indicate harm to the body.
'伤身' (shāng shēn) is a more formal or literary term meaning 'damages the body' or 'harmful to the body'. '不健康' (bù jiàn kāng) is a more common and everyday adjective for 'unhealthy'. '伤身' often implies a more serious or direct negative impact.
长期吸烟会伤身，而天天吃甜点是不健康的。
Sentence Patterns
Noun + <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>
糖<mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>。
This + <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>
这个<mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>。
Subject + 很/太 + <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>
炸鸡<mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>很不健康</mark>。
<mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>的 + Noun
少吃<mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>的食物。
Verb Phrase + <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>
吃太多糖果<mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>。
Noun + 对 + Noun/Pronoun + <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>
含糖饮料对身体<mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>。
Subject + 认为/觉得 + ... + <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>
很多人<mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>认为</mark>加工食品<mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>。
Adverbial Phrase + ... + 导致/<mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>的 + Noun
长期熬夜可能导致<mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不健康</mark>的后果。
Word Family
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High
-
Using '健康' when meaning 'unhealthy'.
→
不健康
This is a direct opposite mistake. '健康' means healthy, while '不健康' means unhealthy. For example, saying '这个蛋糕很健康' (This cake is healthy) when you mean it's unhealthy is incorrect.
-
Forgetting '的' when modifying a noun.
→
不健康的食物
When '不健康' is used before a noun to describe it, you generally need to add '的' (de). Saying '不健康食物' is grammatically incorrect in most cases.
-
Always using '很' before '不健康'.
→
这个菜不健康。
While '很不健康' is correct and common, '不健康' can also function as a predicate adjective on its own, especially in spoken Chinese. Adding '很' is not always mandatory.
-
Confusing '不健康' with '坏'.
→
这个汉堡不健康。
'不健康' specifically refers to health. '坏' (huài) means 'bad' in a general sense, like spoiled food ('这个苹果坏了') or a bad person. You wouldn't call a sugary drink '坏'.
-
Using '不健康' for abstract concepts without clear health implications.
→
This idea is not good.
'不健康' is primarily for physical health. While it can be used metaphorically, applying it to abstract concepts like 'ideas' or 'plans' without a clear link to well-being can sound awkward. Use more appropriate adjectives like '不好' (bù hǎo - not good) or '有问题' (yǒu wèntí - problematic).
Tips
Master the Tones
Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language. The word 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) has specific tones (4-1-1). Mispronouncing the tones can lead to misunderstanding. Practice saying it aloud, focusing on the falling tone of 'bù' and the level tones of 'jiàn' and 'kāng'.
Know Your Opposites
Understanding the antonym 健康 (jiàn kāng) is crucial. Knowing both words allows you to express concepts of health and unhealthiness accurately. Also, familiarize yourself with related terms like 有害 (yǒu hài - harmful) and 没营养 (méi yíngyǎng - lacks nutrition) to broaden your vocabulary.
Adjective Placement
Remember that when 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) modifies a noun, it usually requires 的 (de) in between, forming phrases like '不健康的食物' (unhealthy food). When used predicatively (describing the subject directly), it often follows adverbs like '很' or '太'.
Visual Association
Create a mental image. Picture a vibrant, energetic person labeled '健康' on one side of a scale, and a sluggish, tired person labeled '不健康' on the other. This visual contrast can help you remember the meaning.
Use It in Sentences
The best way to learn is by using the word. Try to create your own sentences describing foods, habits, or lifestyles as either healthy or unhealthy. This active recall will solidify your understanding.
Cultural Significance
Health is highly valued in Chinese culture. Discussions about diet and well-being are common. Understanding the cultural context of '健康' and '不健康' can make your usage more nuanced and appropriate.
Listen Actively
Pay attention to how native speakers use 不健康 in movies, TV shows, podcasts, or conversations. Note the context and any accompanying words or phrases that add meaning.
Speak with Confidence
Don't be afraid to use the word! Start with simple sentences and gradually build complexity. Native speakers will appreciate your effort to communicate in Chinese.
Related Terms
Learning related terms like '有害' (harmful), '没营养' (lacks nutrition), and '有益' (beneficial) will give you a richer vocabulary for discussing health and diet. They offer different shades of meaning compared to the general term '不健康'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a sad, wilted plant. It's not healthy because it's not getting enough water (不 - not). The plant is weak (健 - strong/healthy) and not peaceful (康 - well/peaceful). So, it's 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng).
Visual Association
Picture a scale. On one side, you have a bright, shiny apple representing 'healthy'. On the other side, you have a greasy burger with a red 'X' over it, representing 'unhealthy' (不健康).
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe three of your favorite foods using either '健康' or '不健康' and explain why in simple Chinese sentences.
Word Origin
The word 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) is formed by combining the negation 不 (bù - not) with the adjective 健康 (jiàn kāng - healthy). 健康 itself is composed of 健 (jiàn), meaning strong or healthy, and 康 (kāng), meaning peaceful or well. Therefore, 不健康 literally means 'not healthy' or 'not strong and well'. This is a direct and logical construction common in Chinese.
Original meaning: Not healthy, not strong, not peaceful.
Sino-TibetanCultural Context
When discussing 'unhealthy' food or habits, it's generally acceptable, especially in informal contexts. However, avoid being judgmental when offering advice. Frame it as personal preference or general knowledge rather than a direct criticism of someone's choices.
In English-speaking cultures, the concept of 'unhealthy' is also very common, particularly in relation to diet and lifestyle. Terms like 'junk food', 'processed food', and 'sedentary lifestyle' are widely used. There's a strong emphasis on balanced diets, exercise, and mental well-being, often promoted through public health campaigns and media.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Discussing food at a restaurant or home.
- 这个菜不健康。
- 我们应该点健康的。
- 太油腻了，不健康。
Giving advice on lifestyle habits.
- 天天熬夜很不健康。
- 运动对身体健康。
- 少吃不健康的。
Reading product labels or health articles.
- 这是不健康的食品。
- 对健康有影响。
- 不是健康的食物。
Talking about personal well-being.
- 我感觉不健康。
- 我的生活方式不健康。
- 需要改变不健康的习惯。
Comparing food options.
- 这个比那个健康。
- 哪个更不健康？
- 这是健康的，那个不健康。
Conversation Starters
"你觉得今天吃的哪样东西最不健康？"
"我们应该怎么避免不健康的生活方式？"
"你认为哪些食物是健康的，哪些是不健康的？"
"有没有什么不健康的东西是你偶尔会吃的？"
"你对市面上不健康的食品有什么看法？"
Journal Prompts
写下你今天吃过的三样东西，并判断它们是否健康。
描述一种你不健康的生活习惯，以及你为什么想改变它。
你认为什么构成了一个健康的生活方式？
为什么有些人明知道某些食物不健康，还是会选择吃？
你如何看待中国传统文化中关于食物健康的观念？
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe most common and direct way to say 'unhealthy' in Chinese is 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng). It is widely understood and used in various contexts, especially when discussing food, habits, and lifestyle.
Yes, absolutely. While it's very common for food, 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) can also describe lifestyles (不健康的生活方式 - bù jiàn kāng de shēng huó fāng shì), habits (不健康习惯 - bù jiàn kāng xíguàn), environments (不健康的环境 - bù jiàn kāng de huánjìng), and even metaphorical concepts like relationships or mental states, though the latter are less common and more figurative.
不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) means 'unhealthy' or 'not good for your health'. 健康 (jiàn kāng) is its direct opposite and means 'healthy', 'good for your health', or 'well'. They are antonyms.
It's typically used as a predicate adjective, often with adverbs like 很 (hěn - very) or 太 (tài - too). For example: 这个食物很不健康 (Zhège shíwù hěn bù jiàn kāng - This food is very unhealthy). It can also modify a noun using 的 (de): 少吃不健康的食物 (Shǎo chī bù jiàn kāng de shíwù - Eat less unhealthy food).
Yes. For example, 有害 (yǒu hài) means 'harmful' and is stronger. 没营养 (méi yíngyǎng) means 'lacks nutrition'. 对身体不好 (duì shēntǐ bù hǎo) is a more colloquial phrase meaning 'not good for the body'. The best word to use depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.
'不健康' (bù jiàn kāng) is specifically for health. '坏' (huài) means 'bad' in a general sense, like spoiled food or a bad person. You wouldn't call a sugary drink '坏'; you'd call it '不健康'.
Generally, it's best to avoid being overly critical of someone's food choices directly. However, in casual conversations among friends or family, it's common to discuss whether food is healthy or not. You can phrase it more gently, for example, '这个可能有点不健康' (Zhège kěnéng yǒudiǎn bù jiàn kāng - This might be a bit unhealthy).
'不' (bù) is a common Chinese character that functions as a negation. It means 'not', 'no', or 'don't'. It's placed before the word it negates, like in '不健康' (not healthy).
The pronunciation is bù jiàn kāng. 'bù' is the fourth tone (falling), 'jiàn' is the first tone (high and level), and 'kāng' is the first tone (high and level). Pay attention to the tones for correct meaning.
Common phrases include '太不健康了' (tài bù jiàn kāng le - too unhealthy), '很不健康' (hěn bù jiàn kāng - very unhealthy), and '不健康食品' (bù jiàn kāng shípǐn - unhealthy food).
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Summary
不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) directly translates to 'unhealthy' and is a common adjective used to describe things that are bad for your physical well-being, particularly food and habits. For example, 炸鸡 (zhá jī - fried chicken) is often considered 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng).
- Means 'unhealthy' or 'not good for your health'.
- Often used for food, like fried snacks.
- Can also describe habits or lifestyles.
- Opposite of 健康 (jiàn kāng - healthy).
Context is Key
While 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) is versatile, its primary use is related to physical health. Be mindful of the context when using it, especially in metaphorical senses. For example, describing a relationship as 'unhealthy' is common in English but might sound slightly less direct in Chinese without further explanation.
Master the Tones
Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language. The word 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) has specific tones (4-1-1). Mispronouncing the tones can lead to misunderstanding. Practice saying it aloud, focusing on the falling tone of 'bù' and the level tones of 'jiàn' and 'kāng'.
Know Your Opposites
Understanding the antonym 健康 (jiàn kāng) is crucial. Knowing both words allows you to express concepts of health and unhealthiness accurately. Also, familiarize yourself with related terms like 有害 (yǒu hài - harmful) and 没营养 (méi yíngyǎng - lacks nutrition) to broaden your vocabulary.
Adjective Placement
Remember that when 不健康 (bù jiàn kāng) modifies a noun, it usually requires 的 (de) in between, forming phrases like '不健康的食物' (unhealthy food). When used predicatively (describing the subject directly), it often follows adverbs like '很' or '太'.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
More food words
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一袋
B1A bag of.
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
一杯
B1Measure word for a cup of liquid.
