不识时务 bù shí shí wù

unable to adapt; out of touch with reality

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 58438th word

Definitions

  1. 1. to show no understanding of the times (idiom); cannot adapt to current circumstances
  2. 2. not amenable to reason

Characters

Character Meaning
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
识 shí HSK 1
to know; knowledge; Taiwan pr. shì
时 shí HSK 1
time; when; o'clock
务 wù HSK 2
to be engaged in; to attend to; business