Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Describing "unfortunate" with 不幸 (bùxìng)

    Description & Modification
    Negation

    Structure

    不幸的是 + Clause

    Explanation

    不幸 (bùxìng) means "unfortunate" or "sadly" and can function as an adjective or adverb. It is often used at the beginning of a sentence in the pattern 不幸的是 (unfortunately) to introduce bad news or a regrettable outcome. It combines 不 (not) and 幸 (fortunate).

    Examples

    • 不幸的是，他没能赶上最后一班车。

      Búxìng de shì, tā méi néng gǎnshàng zuìhòu yì bān chē.

      Unfortunately, he didn't make it to the last bus.

    • 那位登山者不幸在途中受了伤。

      Nà wèi dēngshānzhě búxìng zài túzhōng shòu le shāng.

      Unfortunately, the mountaineer was injured on the way.

    • 不幸的是，这次实验又失败了。

      Búxìng de shì, zhè cì shíyàn yòu shībài le.

      Unfortunately, the experiment failed again.

    Often Confused With