对不住 (duì bù zhù) — to let (someone) down; to be unfair to (someone)

Definition

对不住 is a verb phrase meaning 'to let someone down' or 'to be unfair to someone'. It is also commonly used as a polite apology, similar to 对不起 but slightly more formal or emphatic. As a verb, it can take an object (对不住某人). As an interjection, it stands alone as 'I'm sorry' or 'Excuse me'.

r.v.

to let (someone) downto be unfair to (someone)

Examples

对不住。
Wǒ zhè cì zhēn de duì bù zhù nǐ le.
I really let you down this time.
对不住，。
duì bù zhù, shì wǒ kǎolǜ bù zhōu.
Sorry, I didn't think it through.
对不住。
Tā juéde zìjǐ duì bù zhù jiārén.
He feels he has let his family down.

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