<p>不上相 means unphotogenic. To be clear, it’s only used in the context of photos and doesn’t mean awkward in general. Also, it could be considered a euphemism for ugly, just like unphotogenic.</p>
<p>Nowadays, the meaning of 尴尬 (and also 尬) is gradually expanding. I think if you use 尴尬 (or simply 尬), people can still understand you perfectly.</p>
<p>Below is a real-world example posted on 6/10:</p>
<p>感谢XX给我拍了一张这么尬的照片。
(Thank you, XX, for taking such an awkward photo of me.)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-06-13T19:54:16.447Z
Thanks for your help and the example provided, it's good to know that 尴尬 is now starting to be used in different contexts.
Olivia
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-06-12T07:17:45.140Z
2024-06-12T07:17:45.140Z
kyc
<p>When a photo looks 'awkward' it means it looks <strong><a href="https://pedia.cloud.edu.tw/Entry/Detail/?title=%E5%BD%86%E6%89%AD" rel="nofollow noreferrer">彆扭</a></strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p>2.不通順、不流暢 = not smooth</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It also means it looks 'unnatural'(<strong>不自然</strong>) or 'strange' (<strong>很奇怪</strong>)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-06-13T19:53:17.250Z
Very useful, thank you.
Olivia
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-06-11T19:05:08.190Z
2024-06-11T19:21:06.527Z
2024-06-11T19:21:06.527Z
Tang Ho
<p>awkward: original meaning: &quot;in the wrong direction,&quot; later: &quot;clumsy, wanting ease and grace in movement&quot;, now also &quot;embarrassed, ill-at-ease&quot;</p>
<p>'I look awkward in this photo.'<br />
我在这张照片里看着很别扭.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-06-13T19:55:07.413Z
This is very helpful and thank you!
Olivia
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-06-12T07:19:40.680Z
2024-06-12T07:19:40.680Z
Pedroski
<p>I was just wondering how the word 'awkward' would translate to Chinese in the context of a photo. How could you say 'I look awkward in this photo', meaning a bit unsure of how to look in the photo; unphotogenic. I have seen the word ‘尴尬’ being used but I think this more denotes self-consciousness/embarrassment while awkwardness is a bit different to that. Would 尴尬 still work in this situation?
Thank you.</p>

<translation><meaning><word-choice><usage><word-requests>
How to use 'awkward' as an adjective in Chinese
# How to use 'awkward' as an adjective in Chinese

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-06-11)

I was just wondering how the word 'awkward' would translate to Chinese in the context of a photo. How could you say 'I look awkward in this photo', meaning a bit unsure of how to look in the photo; unphotogenic. I have seen the word ‘尴尬’ being used but I think this more denotes self-consciousness/embarrassment while awkwardness is a bit different to that. Would 尴尬 still work in this situation?
Thank you.

**Tags:** translation, meaning, word-choice, usage, word-requests


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2024-06-12. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

不上相 means unphotogenic. To be clear, it’s only used in the context of photos and doesn’t mean awkward in general. Also, it could be considered a euphemism for ugly, just like unphotogenic.

Nowadays, the meaning of 尴尬 (and also 尬) is gradually expanding. I think if you use 尴尬 (or simply 尬), people can still understand you perfectly.

Below is a real-world example posted on 6/10:

感谢XX给我拍了一张这么尬的照片。
(Thank you, XX, for taking such an awkward photo of me.)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks for your help and the example provided, it's good to know that 尴尬 is now starting to be used in different contexts.  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2024-06-11. Score: 3

When a photo looks 'awkward' it means it looks **[彆扭](https://pedia.cloud.edu.tw/Entry/Detail/?title=%E5%BD%86%E6%89%AD)**

> 2.不通順、不流暢 = not smooth

It also means it looks 'unnatural'(**不自然**) or 'strange' (**很奇怪**)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Very useful, thank you.  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2024-06-12. Score: 1

awkward: original meaning: "in the wrong direction," later: "clumsy, wanting ease and grace in movement", now also "embarrassed, ill-at-ease"

'I look awkward in this photo.'  
我在这张照片里看着很别扭.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: This is very helpful and thank you!  

---

