unable to recognize even the simplest characters; illiterate
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
illiterate; cannot recognize even the most basic characters
literaryThis idiom is often used in a self-deprecating or humorous way to modestly claim one is not well-educated. It can also be used literally to describe someone who is completely illiterate.
Wǒ我
nǎi奶
nai奶
shì是
jiù旧
shè社
huì会
de的
rén人
，
jī几
hū乎
bù不
shí识
zhī之
wú无
。
My grandmother grew up in the old society and was almost completely illiterate.
Nín您
tài太
qiān谦
xū虚
le了
，
nín您
shì是
dà大
jiào教
shòu授
，
zěn怎
me么
huì会
bù不
shí识
zhī之
wú无
ne呢
？
You are being too modest. You are a great professor; how could you possibly be illiterate?
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Zài在
zhè这
ge个
xìn信
xī息
shí时
dài代
，
bù不
shí识
zhī之
wú无
de的
rén人
yuè越
lái来
yuè越
shǎo少
le了
。
In this information age, the number of people who are completely illiterate is decreasing.