Definition
看不起 (kàn bu qǐ) is a common colloquial verb meaning 'to look down on' or 'despise' someone, often due to their social status or background. It is more direct and everyday than the formal 鄙视 (bǐshì) or 轻视 (qīngshì); unlike 小看 (xiǎokàn), which means 'to underestimate' ability, 看不起 focuses on contempt for the person themselves.
verb
to look down onto despise
Examples
- 看不起。Tā zǒng kàn bu qǐ zìjǐ de tóngshì.He always looks down on his own colleagues.
- 看不起。Tā yīnwèi jiā lǐ qióng ér bèi rén kàn bu qǐ.She is looked down upon because her family is poor.
- 看不起。Zhè zhǒng kàn bu qǐ rén de tàidu hěn bù hǎo.This kind of attitude of looking down on others is very bad.
Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.