not as good as; inferior to; it would be better to
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesverb
to be not as good as; to be inferior to
Used in comparisons, often with the structure 'A 不如 B' or 'A 不如 B + [adjective]'. It expresses that B is better or more desirable than A.
Zǒu走
lù路
bù不
rú如
qí骑
chē车
kuài快
。
Walking is not as fast as riding a bike.
Lùn论
shǒu手
qiǎo巧
，
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
bù不
rú如
tā他
。
In terms of dexterity, nobody is as good as him.
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Zhè这
ge个
jì计
huà划
bù不
rú如
wǒ我
men们
yù预
xiǎng想
de的
hǎo好
。
This plan is not as good as we expected.
Wǒ我
de的
Zhōng中
wén文
bù不
rú如
tā她
liú流
lì利
。
My Chinese is not as fluent as hers.
verb
it would be better to; might as well
Often used to give advice or make a suggestion, implying one option is preferable to another. Usually followed by a verb phrase.
Jīn今
tiān天
tài太
lèi累
le了
，
bù不
rú如
wǒ我
men们
zǎo早
diǎn点
xiū休
xi息
ba吧
。
We're too tired today, so we might as well rest early.
Yǔ与
qí其
zài在
jiā家
wú无
liáo聊
，
bù不
rú如
chū出
qù去
zǒu走
zou走
。
Rather than being bored at home, it would be better to go out for a walk.
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Dǎ打
chē车
tài太
guì贵
le了
，
bù不
rú如
zuò坐
dì地
tiě铁
。
Taking a taxi is too expensive; it would be better to take the subway.