Definition
说不上 (shuō bu shàng) is a colloquial verb meaning 'can't really say' or 'can't quite put into words'. It has two common uses: (1) expressing inability to articulate a difference or reason, and (2) downplaying a quality — saying something doesn't quite reach a certain level ('it's not really that…').
verb
can't say / can't put into wordscan't really be considered / it's not really (that…)
Examples
- 说不上。Wǒ shuō bu shàng zhè liǎng jiàn yīfu yǒu shénme bù yíyàng.I can't really say what's different about these two pieces of clothing.
- 说不上，。Tā de chéngjì shuō bu shàng hěn hǎo, dàn yě bú chà.His grades can't really be called great, but they're not bad either.
- 说不上，。Zhè bù diànyǐng shuō bu shàng tèbié jīngcǎi, búguò kěyǐ kànkan.This movie isn't really that exciting, but it's worth watching.
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