不如 (bùrú): comparative vs suggestion — two meanings
The Chinese word 不如 (bùrú) has two distinct meanings: it can be a comparative meaning 'not as good as,' directly comparing two nouns, or it can introduce a suggestion meaning 'might as well' or 'it would be better to,' typically followed by a verb phrase and optionally ending with 好. Understanding the context and structure is key to using 不如 correctly.
不如 has two main uses. The first is a comparative meaning 'not as good as,' used to state that one thing or person is inferior to another, with the structure A 不如 B. The second is a suggestion pattern, often 不如…好, meaning 'might as well' or 'it would be better to,' where the speaker proposes an alternative action; in this use, 不如 is followed by a verb phrase, and 好 is optional. The context clearly differentiates the two: a following noun/pronoun indicates comparison, while a following verb phrase indicates a suggestion.
When to use each
Use to compare two nouns or noun phrases and state that the first is inferior to the second. It functions like a verb linking the two items directly. This is the standard way to express 'X is not as good as Y' in both formal and informal contexts.
Use the pattern 不如 + verb phrase (+ 好) to suggest that a certain action is a better option than the alternative. It conveys the idea of 'might as well' or 'it would be better to.' The 好 is often omitted in casual speech, but the suggestion meaning remains; including 好 adds emphasis to the advisability.
The suggestion meaning can also occur without 好, e.g., 不如我们走 (we might as well leave). The choice of adding 好 depends on formality and the speaker's wish to stress the recommendation.
At a glance
| 不如 | 不如…好 | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Comparison: A is not as good as B | Suggestion: It would be better to do X |
| Structure | A 不如 B (A and B are nouns/pronouns) | 不如 + verb phrase (+ 好) |
| Negation | Not negated (the phrase itself is negative) | Not negated (already a suggestion) |
| Question form | A 不如 B 吗? (Is A not as good as B?) | 不如…好 吗? (Wouldn't it be better to...?) |
| Common context | Comparing qualities, abilities, preferences | Offering advice, making a decision, expressing resignation |
Examples
- 不如他的中文不如我好。Tā de Zhōngwén bùrú wǒ hǎo.His Chinese is not as good as mine.Comparative use: A's Chinese is inferior to B's.
- 不如这家餐厅不如那家。Zhè jiā cāntīng bùrú nà jiā.This restaurant is not as good as that one.Direct comparison between two restaurants.
- 不如…好天气不好，我们不如在家看电影。Tiānqì bù hǎo, wǒmen bùrú zài jiā kàn diànyǐng.The weather is bad, we might as well watch a movie at home.Suggestion use: 好 is omitted, but the meaning is clear.
- 不如…好不如你去问他好。Bùrú nǐ qù wèn tā hǎo.It would be better for you to ask him.Full pattern with 好, emphasizing the suggestion.
- 不如既然这么晚，不如明天再去。Jìrán zhème wǎn, bùrú míngtiān zài qù.Since it's so late, it would be better to go tomorrow.Suggestion without 好; verb phrase follows 不如.
- 不如…好不如我们坐火车去好。Bùrú wǒmen zuò huǒchē qù hǎo.It would be better for us to go by train.Explicit 好 in the pattern for clarity.
Common mistakes
- Using 不如 in a suggestion without a following verb phrase, e.g., '不如他' meaning 'better to him' is incorrect; the verb must be present.
- Assuming 不如 always means 'not as good as,' missing the suggestion meaning entirely.
- Using the 不如…好 pattern with nouns instead of verbs, e.g., '不如这本书好' is a comparative, not a suggestion.
- Adding 得 in the comparative pattern, e.g., '不如得' is ungrammatical; 不如 directly links the two items.
FAQ
- When do I use 不如 vs 不如…好?
- Use 不如 as a comparative when comparing two nouns/pronouns to say one is 'not as good as' the other. Use 不如…好 (or 不如 + verb phrase without 好) to make a suggestion meaning 'might as well' or 'it would be better to.' The presence of a verb phrase signals the suggestion meaning.
- Can I omit 好 in the suggestion pattern?
- Yes, in informal speech 好 is often omitted. For example, 不如我们走吧 means 'We might as well leave.' The suggestion meaning remains clear from context. Including 好 adds emphasis.
- How do I negate a suggestion using 不如?
- You do not negate 不如 itself. Instead, reject the suggestion by saying something like 不好 (no) or propose a different alternative. For example: 不好, 不如我们打车去 (No, it would be better to take a taxi).
- Is 不如 the same as 比不上?
- Both mean 'not as good as,' but 不如 is more common in writing and formal speech, while 比不上 is more colloquial. They are often interchangeable, but 不如 is the standard choice in formal comparisons.