美中不足

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"美中不足" literally means "a flaw in something beautiful." It is used to point out a minor imperfection or drawback in an otherwise good or beautiful thing.

Common Contexts

This phrase is often used in everyday conversation to soften criticism by acknowledging the overall positive while noting a small defect. It can describe objects, performances, services, or situations.

Collocations and Patterns

Nuance

Using 美中不足 implies that the speaker recognizes the overall value or beauty but wants to honestly mention a small issue. It is more polite and less harsh than directly saying something is bad.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse 美中不足 with completely negative words. It always implies a mostly positive evaluation with a minor flaw.

Example Sentences

This painting is beautiful overall, but there is a small flaw in the middle.

His speech was rich in content, but the too fast speaking speed was a

The service at this restaurant is good and the environment is nice; the only