Not half bad Meaning in English
expression
ˈnɑt/ /ˈhæf/ /ˈbæd
NAHT-HAF-BAD
nˈɒt/ /hˈɑːf/ /bˈæd
not-HAHF-bad
Definición
An informal, slightly humorous way to say that something is actually quite good or better than expected.
Uso & Matices
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 malPortuguese (BR): nada mal - não é nada mauPortuguese (PT): nada mau - não está nada mauChinese (Simplified): 还不错 - 不算太差Chinese (Traditional): 還不錯 - 不算太差Hindi: बिल्कुल बुरा नहीं - ठीक-ठाकArabic: ليست سيئة أبداً - ليست سيئةBengali: একেবারে খারাপ নয় - মনে চেয়ে ভালোRussian: вполне неплохо - совсем не плохоJapanese: なかなか悪くない - 意外といいVietnamese: không tệ chút nào - cũng khá tốtKorean: 꽤 괜찮다 - 생각보다 좋다Turkish: fena değil - beklenenden iyiUrdu: کچھ خاص برا نہیں - توقع سے بہترIndonesian: lumayan bagus - tidak jelek
Oraciones de Ejemplo
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