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相提并论 (xiāng tí bìng lùn) — (idiom) to mention in the same breath; to place on an equal footing (usually in negative constructions)

Definition

A four-character idiom meaning 'to put on the same level' — almost always used in negative contexts (不能∼, 不可∼) to say two things are too different to compare.

idiom
to mention in the same breathto place on an equal footing (usually in negative constructions)

Examples

  • ，相提并论。
    Zhè liǎng bù xiǎo shuō fēng gé wán quán bù tóng, bù néng xiāng tí bìng lùn.
    These two novels have completely different styles; they can't be mentioned in the same breath.
  • 相提并论。
    Tā de cái huá hé pǔ tōng rén gēn běn bù néng xiāng tí bìng lùn.
    His talent cannot be placed on a par with ordinary people's at all.
  • 相提并论？
    Nǐ zěn me néng bǎ zhè me yán sù de wèn tí hé yú lè xiāng tí bìng lùn ne?
    How can you compare such a serious issue with entertainment?

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

In 相, 目 is an eye and 木 is a tree, showing an eye looking at a tree; this originally meant “to observe.”

Open 相 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
是
是shì提tí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

提 shows 扌 (hand) beside 是, which gives the pronunciation.

Open 提 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 并 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 論; 论 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánsay
Sound part声符shēngfú
侖
侖lún論lùn
Same sound today

The traditional form 論 pairs 言 (“say”) with 侖 as a sound component; the simplified 论 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.

Open 论 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Idioms & Set Phrases

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