不痛不癢 bù tòng bù yǎng

superficial; fig. not getting to any matter of substance

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

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)
癢 yǎng
to itch; to tickle; variant of 癢yǎng