# 不合时宜

bù hé shí yí

Unsuitable for the time or occasion

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Does not fit the current circumstances

**Traditional Chinese:** 不合時宜

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Explain why a practice or remark does not suit its setting.

An older approach can still be useful in the right context.

## The image & its use

The phrase compares something with the circumstances in which it appears. A winter coat may be unsuitable in warm weather, while a lengthy speech may not fit a brief welcome. It can also describe an idea that no longer meets current needs. The criticism concerns fit rather than age alone. Explain which condition has changed, because dismissing a familiar method without examining its purpose may overlook something that continues to work well.

## Examples

在这里穿厚外套有些不合时宜。

### Traditional Chinese

在這裡穿厚外套有些不合時宜。

zài zhè lǐ chuān hòu wài tào yǒu xiē bù hé shí yí 。

A thick coat is somewhat unsuitable here.

过长的开场白不合时宜。

### Traditional Chinese

過長的開場白不合時宜。

guò cháng de kāi chǎng bái bù hé shí yí 。

A very long opening speech does not fit the occasion.

这套旧流程如今不合时宜。

### Traditional Chinese

這套舊流程如今不合時宜。

zhè tào jiù liú chéng rú jīn bù hé shí yí 。

The old process no longer suits present needs.

她调整了不合时宜的表达方式。

### Traditional Chinese

她調整了不合時宜的表達方式。

tā tiáo zhěng le bù hé shí yí de biǎo dá fāng shì 。

She adjusted a way of speaking that no longer fit the setting.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1088&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%8D%E5%90%88%E6%99%82%E5%AE%9C)

## Keep exploring

- [不见经传 bù jiàn jīng zhuàn Little known or lacking established recognition ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-jian-jing-zhuan)

- [不可思议 bù kě sī yì Be astonishing or hard to comprehend ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-ke-si-yi)

- [不伦不类 bù lún bù lèi An awkward mixture that fits no coherent type ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-lun-bu-lei)

- [不毛之地 bù máo zhī dì Barren land with little or no growth ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-mao-zhi-di)

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