unhappy

unhappy — adjective

1. feeling sorrow or displeasure, often because something has gone wrong or because

1.形容詞A2
釋義

feeling sorrow or displeasure, often because something has gone wrong or because a situation is very different from what you hoped or expected.

例句

Salma felt unhappy after learning that her flight had been cancelled.

The team was unhappy with the way management handled the budget cuts.

be unhappy with + noun — expressing dissatisfaction

同義詞
  • sad

    more general; can describe brief or mild unhappiness without implying dissatisfaction

  • miserable

    stronger and more emotional, often describing ongoing suffering or discomfort

  • dissatisfied

    focuses specifically on unmet expectations or requirements rather than emotional sadness

  • displeased

    more formal than unhappy, often about a specific action or result

反義詞
  • happy

    direct opposite — feeling joy or satisfaction

  • satisfied

    specifically opposite of the dissatisfaction aspect of this sense

文法句型

be unhappy with [something/someone]

be unhappy about [something]

feel/look/seem unhappy

unhappy + noun (person, expression, silence)

用法筆記

Frequently used with the prepositions with (for specific things or people) and about (for situations). When used attributively before a noun, it describes something caused by or showing sadness rather than the person feeling sad themselves.

常見錯誤

❌She was unhappy from her test results.
✅She was unhappy with her test results.
💡The correct preposition is 'with' or 'about', not 'from'.
❌I am unhappy, so I ate a big meal.
✅I am unhappy, so I ate a big meal to cheer myself up.
💡'Unhappy' alone expresses sadness, but the sentence should make the emotional state the clear focus, not bury it.

2. not fitting or well-suited for a particular purpose, situation, or occasion — fo

2.形容詞B2
釋義

not fitting or well-suited for a particular purpose, situation, or occasion — for example, an unhappy remark at a formal dinner or an unhappy choice of paint colour for a small room.

例句

Choosing those pink curtains for the office was an unhappy decision.

unhappy decision — poor or inappropriate choice

The comedian's joke was an unhappy choice for the solemn ceremony.

同義詞
  • inappropriate

    more common and slightly broader; can describe behaviour, clothes, language

  • unsuitable

    very close in meaning; focuses on lack of fit for a purpose rather than poor judgement

  • ill-advised

    adds the idea that the choice showed poor judgement or lack of forethought

反義詞
  • suitable

    direct opposite — fitting for a particular purpose or situation

  • appropriate

    correct or right for the circumstances

文法句型

be unhappy for [occasion/situation]

unhappy + noun (choice/decision/timing/coincidence/remark)

用法筆記

Only used for things (choices, decisions, remarks, timing, coincidences), never for people. Distinguish from Sense 1: this sense means 'not appropriate for the context', not 'feeling sad'. Common in formal or written English.

常見錯誤

❌The man was unhappy for the role.' (meaning the role was not suitable for him)
✅The man was an unhappy choice for the role.
💡Sense 2 describes things like choices and decisions, not people themselves.