How to express “something is slightly flawed but it’s ok” in Chinese?

It’s not perfect, but it’s working. That’s all we need in life, isn’t it? Learn to use this expression in describing your life, your work, or your marriage (just kidding) ((or am I?))

美中不足 (Měi zhōng bù zú): a fly in the ointment, downside, stumbling block, disadvantage, snag, hindrance, obstacle, weakness, hitch

這家餐廳唯一美中不足的地方是很它的裝潢，真的很醜。

The only downside about this restaurant is the decor, which is really ugly.

Or you can also say:

有待加強(yǒu dài jiā qiáng): to have room for improvement

這家餐廳的裝潢品味有待加強。

The decor of this restaurant needs to be improved

Inspiration

As I often have the chance to read Mandarin-natives’ English essays, I noticed that these people always try to use idioms and some words said by great people in their writing. I didn’t have any difficulty understanding these essays because I’m a native; however, most of the time, the meaning doesn’t get across and their writing becomes obscured.

One common misuse of Chinese idioms in English essays is to rely on direct translation. I often see people write the following to talk about the only bad thing (trivial but terrible enough to leave a bad taste) that happened in a certain experience/time/event:

The one thing not enough is A.

This sentence is an obvious translation from Chinese, “唯一美中不足的是…” “not enough” is another direct translation from “不足.” Even with no particular difficulty in understanding the sentence, the unfitness of each word makes the writing look chunky.

For me, writing in another language requires the ability to THINK in another different way. Taiwanese are good at studying English, and they are good at using English ( albeit sometimes they are just piecing information that doesn’t serve communication purposes instead of delivering thoughts ) But to think in English, that’s something few will do and can do.