How to Say “I am impatient” in Chinese
Feelings and opinions · HSK 3
"I am impatient" in Chinese is 我不耐烦 (Wǒ bú nàifán). 不耐烦 (bú nàifán) means visibly annoyed from waiting; it's stronger than English 'impatient' and often sounds like you're about to snap. 没耐心 (méi nàixīn) is softer, describing a personality trait.
Primary translation
我不耐烦
Wǒ bú nàifán
Traditional: 我不耐煩
Variants by register
Formal
我有点没耐心
Wǒ yǒudiǎn méi nàixīn
Casual
我不耐烦
Wǒ bú nàifán
When to use it
不耐烦 (bú nàifán) means visibly annoyed from waiting; it's stronger than English 'impatient' and often sounds like you're about to snap. 没耐心 (méi nàixīn) is softer, describing a personality trait. Note the tone sandhi: 不 becomes bú before nàifán's fourth tone. Saying 我不耐烦 to a shop clerk sounds rude; use 我有点急 (I'm a bit rushed) instead when you just want faster service.
Example sentences
他等得有点不耐烦了。
Tā děng de yǒudiǎn bú nàifán le.
He's getting a bit impatient from waiting.
我对排队真的没耐心。
Wǒ duì páiduì zhēn de méi nàixīn.
I really have no patience for queuing.
别这么不耐烦，再等五分钟。
Bié zhème bú nàifán, zài děng wǔ fēnzhōng.
Don't be so impatient, wait another five minutes.