# 差强人意

chā qiáng rén yì

Be barely satisfactory

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Somewhat meet people's expectations

**Traditional Chinese:** 差強人意

**Register:** Measured · general

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

## When to use it

Describe a result acceptable but short of excellent.

It does not mean completely disappointing or unsatisfactory.

## Understanding the expression

The key is the modest degree expressed by the first character: the result meets expectations only somewhat. This makes the phrase a restrained assessment between strong praise and outright rejection. A repaired appliance may work adequately even though its finish is rough. A performance may pass despite weaknesses. Learners often mistake the phrase for complete dissatisfaction, but its usual meaning preserves a small measure of approval or acceptability.

## Examples

这次成绩差强人意，至少达到了及格线。

### Traditional Chinese

這次成績差強人意，至少達到了及格線。

zhè cì chéng jì chā qiáng rén yì ， zhì shǎo dá dào le jí gé xiàn 。

The result was barely satisfactory; at least it reached the passing mark.

旅馆设施旧了些，服务还差强人意。

### Traditional Chinese

旅館設施舊了些，服務還差強人意。

lǚ guǎn shè shī jiù le xiē ， fú wù hái chā qiáng rén yì 。

The hotel's facilities were rather old, but the service was acceptable.

修改后的方案差强人意，可以先试行。

### Traditional Chinese

修改後的方案差強人意，可以先試行。

xiū gǎi hòu de fāng àn chā qiáng rén yì ， kě yǐ xiān shì xíng 。

The revised plan is reasonably acceptable and can be tried first.

他第一次做蛋糕，味道差强人意。

### Traditional Chinese

他第一次做蛋糕，味道差強人意。

tā dì yī cì zuò dàn gāo ， wèi dào chā qiáng rén yì 。

His first cake tasted passable.

## 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=%E5%B7%AE%E5%BC%B7%E4%BA%BA%E6%84%8F)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=369&webMd=1&la=0)

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