不痛不痒 bù tòng bù yǎng

superficial; fig. not getting to any matter of substance

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 42069th word

Definitions

  1. 1. superficial
  2. 2. fig. not getting to any matter of substance
  3. 3. scratching the surface
  4. 4. perfunctory
  5. 5. lit. doesn't hurt, doesn't tickle (idiom); sth is wrong, but not quite sure what

Characters

Character Meaning
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
痛 tòng HSK 5
pain; ache; sorrow
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
痒 yǎng HSK 5
to itch; to tickle; variant of 癢yǎng