verb / conjunction HSK 4
not as good as · inferior to · it would be better to
Meaning
不如 is used to make comparisons, indicating that something is inferior to or not as good as something else. It can also suggest that doing one thing would be better than doing another, offering an alternative recommendation.
Usage
Commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese. When comparing two things, the pattern is A 不如 B (A is not as good as B). When suggesting an alternative, it means 'it would be better to' or 'might as well'. Often used to express a preference or to point out that one option is superior to another.
Examples
- 01他的中文水平不如我。.His Chinese level is not as good as mine.
- 02与其在家看电视，不如出去散散步。, .Rather than watching TV at home, it would be better to go out for a walk.
Characters
Common collocations
- A不如BA is not as good as B
- 不如说it would be better to say
- 与其...不如...... ...rather than... it would be better to...
Antonyms
Origin
The combination literally means 'not equal to' or 'does not match'. 如 originally meant 'to be like' or 'to match', so 不如 expresses the idea of not measuring up to or not being as good as something else.