# 不伦不类

bù lún bù lèi

An awkward mixture that fits no coherent type

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Neither one category nor another

**Traditional Chinese:** 不倫不類

**Register:** Critical · general

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

## When to use it

Criticize an ill fitting style or combination.

Unfamiliar innovation is not automatically incoherent.

## Understanding the expression

Categories help us understand how parts belong together. The expression criticizes something whose parts do not form a convincing whole, leaving it awkwardly between types. It often describes clothing, design, writing, or behavior that seems mismatched to its setting. The judgment can be subjective. New styles sometimes mix traditions successfully, so explain the actual clash rather than rejecting everything that does not fit an established category neatly.

## Examples

这套搭配看着不伦不类。

### Traditional Chinese

這套搭配看著不倫不類。

zhè tào dā pèi kàn zhe bù lún bù lèi 。

This outfit looks awkwardly mismatched.

广告语不伦不类，既不清楚也不有趣。

### Traditional Chinese

廣告語不倫不類，既不清楚也不有趣。

guǎng gào yǔ bù lún bù lèi ， jì bù qīng chǔ yě bù yǒu qù 。

The slogan is incoherent, neither clear nor amusing.

他把报告写得不伦不类。

### Traditional Chinese

他把報告寫得不倫不類。

tā bǎ bào gào xiě dé bù lún bù lèi 。

He turned the report into an awkward mixture.

别只因风格新就说不伦不类。

### Traditional Chinese

別隻因風格新就說不倫不類。

bié zhī yīn fēng gé xīn jiù shuō bù lún bù lèi 。

Do not call a style incoherent just because it is new.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%8D%E5%80%AB%E4%B8%8D%E9%A1%9E)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=128&webMd=1&la=0)

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