poor; useless; ineffective
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesadjective
poor; useless; ineffective; not good enough
informalOften used to describe a decline in physical or mental abilities, or the poor quality of things. It is colloquial and carries a slightly negative tone.
Tā他
shàng上
le了
nián年
jì纪
，
yǎn眼
shén神
r儿
bù不
jì济
le了
。
He's getting old, and his eyesight is poor now.
Zhè这
gè个
gōng工
jù具
zhì质
liàng量
tài太
bù不
jì济
，
yòng用
liǎng两
cì次
jiù就
huài坏
le了
。
The quality of this tool is so poor that it broke after just two uses.
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Zuì最
jìn近
jīng精
lì力
bù不
jì济
，
zǒng总
xiǎng想
shuì睡
jiào觉
。
My energy has been low lately; I always feel like sleeping.
Zhè这
gè个
jì计
huà划
kǎo考
lǜ虑
bù不
zhōu周
，
kǒng恐
pà怕
bù不
jì济
shì事
。
This plan is poorly thought out; I'm afraid it won't work.
Jiā家
lǐ里
de的
jiù旧
shuǐ水
guǎn管
yǐ已
jīng经
hěn很
bù不
jì济
，
gāi该
huàn换
le了
。
The old water pipes at home are already useless; they should be replaced.