Not half bad Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈnɑt/ /ˈhæf/ /ˈbæd

NAHT-HAF-BAD

UK

nˈɒt/ /hˈɑːf/ /bˈæd

not-HAHF-bad

التعريف

An informal, slightly humorous way to say that something is actually quite good or better than expected.

الاستخدام والفروق الدقيقة

Used mainly in casual speech, often to modestly praise something or someone. It can sound understated—you're surprised something is good. Not literal (doesn't mean 'half bad'); don't use in formal writing. Typical after trying food, watching a movie, etc.

• Spanish: nada mal - no está nada mal
• Portuguese (BR): nada mal - não é nada mau
• Portuguese (PT): nada mau - não está nada mau
• Chinese (Simplified): 还不错 - 不算太差
• Chinese (Traditional): 還不錯 - 不算太差
• Hindi: बिल्कुल बुरा नहीं - ठीक-ठाक
• Arabic: ليست سيئة أبداً - ليست سيئة
• Bengali: একেবারে খারাপ নয় - মনে চেয়ে ভালো
• Russian: вполне неплохо - совсем не плохо
• Japanese: なかなか悪くない - 意外といい
• Vietnamese: không tệ chút nào - cũng khá tốt
• Korean: 꽤 괜찮다 - 생각보다 좋다
• Turkish: fena değil - beklenenden iyi
• Urdu: کچھ خاص برا نہیں - توقع سے بہتر
• Indonesian: lumayan bagus - tidak jelek

جمل نموذجية

This pizza is not half bad!

basic

Your drawing is not half bad for a beginner.

basic

That movie was not half bad at all.

basic

Honestly, your cooking is not half bad—keep it up!

natural

For a cheap hotel, this place is not half bad.

natural

Hey, that joke was not half bad—made me laugh!

natural