HSK Level 3

不安

bù ān

uneasy; unsettled; unstable

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Example Sentences

我感到不安,因为我不知道明天会发生什么。

wǒ gǎndào bù'ān, yīnwèi wǒ bù zhīdào míngtiān huì fāshēng shénme.

I feel uneasy because I don't know what will happen tomorrow.

当我在黑暗中行走时,我感到不安。

dāng wǒ zài hēi'àn zhōng xíngzǒu shí, wǒ gǎndào bù'ān.

I feel uneasy when I walk in the dark.

我对未来的不确定性感到不安。

wǒ duì wèilái de bùquèdìngxìng gǎndào bù'ān.

I feel uneasy about the uncertainty of the future.

Synonyms

焦虑 (jiāolǜ)

anxiety

担忧 (dānyōu)

worry

Antonyms

安定 (ān dìng)

stable

平静 (píng jìng)

calm

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 不安 (bù'ān) is composed of two characters: 不 (bù), meaning "not", and 安 (ān), meaning "peace" or "tranquility". Together, they form the compound word 不安, which means "uneasy", "restless", or "anxious".The character 不 (bù) is a common negation particle in Chinese, used to negate the meaning of a following word or phrase. In the case of 不安, it negates the positive meaning of 安 (ān), resulting in the opposite concept of "unease" or "restlessness".The character 安 (ān) has a rich history and multiple meanings in Chinese culture. It is often used to describe a state of peace, tranquility, or contentment. In the context of 不安, it refers to the absence of these positive qualities, resulting in a feeling of unease or anxiety.Overall, the etymology of the Chinese word 不安 (bù'ān) reflects the combination of the negation particle 不 (bù) and the concept of peace or tranquility 安 (ān), resulting in the meaning of "uneasy", "restless", or "anxious".