The Meaning of 意思yì sī

“意思”的意思是什么意思？

Are you wondering what the meaning of the Chinese word “意思yì sī”?  There are actually many 意思 yì sī of the word “意思yì sī”. Let's see the following examples:

1. It usually refers to meaning.

For example: 什么意思？Shén me yì sī? What does it mean?

你的意思是什么？ Nǐ de yì sīshì shén me? What do you mean?

2. Express one’s regrets.

For example: 不好意思。 Bù hǎo yì sī. I am sorry/ Excuse me.

You can use it when someone is in the way or to apologize.

3. Suggest someone is shy.

For example: 她不好意思。Tā bù hǎo yì sī. She is shy.

别不好意思。Bié bù hǎo yì sī. Don’t be shy!

4. Convey modesty and politeness.

For example: 怎么好意思(after received a gift)。Zhěn me hǎo yì sī.

I can’t come up with an English translation, because it actually means nothing, like a way of saying It is very nice of you or you are welcome.

5. Gift or any giving.

For example: 给，这是小意思。Gěi, zhè shì xiǎo yì sī.

Here you are, just something for you,

6. A piece of cake.

For example: 喝酒小意思。Hē Jiǔ xiǎo yì sī.

Drinking is just a piece of cake. You can put anything in front of “xiǎo yì sī” means it’s easy to you.

7. Show a tendency.

For example: 天有想要下雨的意思。Tiān yǒu xiǎng yào xià yǔ de yì sī.

It seems it’s going to rain soon.

8. Interesting

For example: 学中文有意思。Xué zhōng wén yǒu yì sī.

Studying Chinese is a lot of fun. The structure is :

Something plus 有意思（yǒu yì sī), implying something which is interesting.

9. Funny

For example: 这个人真有意思。Zhè gè rén yǒu yì sī.

This guy is very funny. When you put someone instead of something in front of 有意思（yǒu yì sī), it’s a description of people’s characteristic.

10. Likes someone

For example: 他对这个女孩有意思。Tā duì zhè gè nǚ hái yǒu yì sī. He cares for this girl.

Hehehe,  now do you know “意思yì sī”的意思是什么意思？I hope you find this post 很有意思 ：） Please check out this dialogue and interpret the meaning of 意思 in different contexts:

         tīng shuō xiǎo wáng zhǎng gōng zī le ，dàn wǒ de gōng zī méi zhǎng tài méi yì sī le
Da Li：听说小王涨工资了，但我的工资没涨，太没意思了。
          I heard that Xiao Wang's salary has gone up, but mine hasn't. It’s so frustrating.

              nà nǐ men lǎo bǎn shí me yì sī ā yào bú nǐ gěi tā yì sī yì sī
Xiao Lin：那你们老板什么意思啊？要不你给他意思意思？
             What’s the meaning behind your boss’s actions?
             How about giving him something to help move things along?

          nà wǒ duō bú hǎo yì sī ā
Da Li：那我多不好意思啊。
          It would make me feel embarrassed.

             bú hǎo yì sī wǒ suí biàn shuō shuō
Xiao Lin：不好意思，我随便说说。          
             Sorry, it was just a casual remark.