bù kào pǔ: 不靠谱 - Unreliable, Untrustworthy, Flaky

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Summary: Learn the meaning of bù kào pǔ (不靠谱), a popular and essential Chinese slang term used to describe someone or something as unreliable, untrustworthy, or “flaky.” This guide breaks down its cultural context, practical usage in daily conversation, and provides numerous example sentences to show you how to call out a person, plan, or idea that just doesn't seem right. Master bù kào pǔ to sound like a native and understand a key aspect of modern Chinese social dynamics.

Pinyin (with tone marks): bù kào pǔ

Part of Speech: Adjective

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: A person, plan, or thing that is unreliable, untrustworthy, or doesn't follow through.

In a Nutshell: 不靠谱 (bù kào pǔ) is the perfect word for that friend who is always late, that business plan that sounds too good to be true, or that piece of gossip that seems totally made up. It's less about malice and more about a lack of dependability. It captures the feeling of someone or something being flighty, erratic, groundless, or just plain sketchy. If you can't count on it, it's 不靠谱.

不 (bù): A negative prefix, simply meaning “not” or “no.”

靠 (kào): To “lean on,” “rely on,” or “depend on.” You can lean on a wall (靠墙, kào qiáng) or rely on a friend (依靠朋友, yīkào péngyou).

谱 (pǔ): This character originally means a chart, a manual, or most commonly, a musical score (乐谱, yuèpǔ). Metaphorically, it represents a standard, a guideline, or a reliable pattern to follow.

How they combine: The positive form, 靠谱 (kào pǔ), literally means “to lean on the musical score.” This implies following a reliable, predictable, and correct pattern—hence, being “dependable” or “solid.” Adding 不 (bù) negates this entirely. 不靠谱 (bù kào pǔ) means “not leaning on the score,” describing something that is off-key, without a solid basis, and therefore completely unreliable.

The Importance of Dependability: In Chinese culture, where relationships (关系, guānxi) and social harmony are paramount, being seen as dependable is a highly valued personal trait. Being 不靠谱 means you are unpredictable and can't be counted on, which can cause others to lose face (丢面子, diū miànzi) and damage relationships. While it's an informal term, it points to the serious cultural expectation that a person's words and actions should align.

Comparison to “Flaky” or “Sketchy”: The English word “flaky” is a great comparison for describing a person who is 不靠谱—they forget commitments and are generally undependable in a light, sometimes frustrating way. However, 不靠谱 is broader. It can also mean “sketchy” or “unfounded” when describing a plan, a news story, or a business deal. For example, a get-rich-quick scheme is definitely 不靠谱. It carries a stronger sense of “this isn't sound” or “this isn't based in reality” than just “unreliable.”

Informal and Ubiquitous: 不靠谱 is extremely common in everyday conversation among friends, family, and colleagues. You'll hear it constantly in offices, on university campuses, and see it all over Chinese social media like Weibo and WeChat.

Formality Mismatch: Avoid using 不靠谱 in formal writing, such as a business contract or academic paper. It's colloquial slang. In a formal context, use a word like 不可靠 (bù kěkào), which means “unreliable” in a more standard, neutral way.

Not a Synonym for “Bad” or “Evil”: A common mistake is to equate 不靠谱 with being a bad person. Someone can have a good heart but be disorganized, forgetful, and flighty—making them very 不靠谱 but not malicious. It's about competence and dependability, not moral character.

False Friend: “Unprofessional”: While someone who is 不靠谱 at work is certainly unprofessional, the terms aren't identical. “Unprofessional” can describe specific actions like wearing inappropriate clothes or using rude language. 不靠谱 is more fundamental; it describes a person's (or plan's) core lack of solidity and trustworthiness. You can be professionally dressed and polite but still 不靠谱 because you never meet deadlines.

靠谱 (kào pǔ) - The direct antonym. It means reliable, dependable, solid, and trustworthy. The highest compliment for a colleague or friend.

不可靠 (bù kěkào) - A more formal and standard way to say “unreliable.” Use this in writing or more serious situations.

不着调 (bù zháodiào) - A very close synonym. It literally means “off-key” or “out of tune.” Describes someone who is erratic, nonsensical, and unreliable.

说话不算话 (shuō huà bú suàn huà) - A set phrase meaning “to not stand by one's words” or “to go back on a promise.” This is a key characteristic of a 不靠谱 person.

忽悠 (hūyou) - To trick, to dupe, or to sweet-talk. A 不靠谱 salesperson might try to 忽悠 you into buying a bad product.

吹牛 (chuī niú) - To brag, boast, or “blow hot air.” People who 吹牛 a lot are often 不靠谱 because their actions don't match their grand claims.

马虎 (mǎhu) - To be careless or sloppy. Being 马虎 in your work can lead to a 不靠谱 result.

信誉 (xìnyù) - Credibility, reputation. A person or company that is consistently 不靠谱 will have very poor 信誉.