不如 (bùrú) can be used to make comparisons in a similar way as
the 比 structure. In its simplest form 不如 is used to
convey that A is 'not as good as' B. Unlike the 比 structure, when
used in this way, the adjective or verb can be omitted.
Simple Pattern
Structure
Examples
- 我 哥 的 成绩 不如 我 。My elder brother's
.
- 看 电影 不如 看 原著 。Watching the movie
isn't as good as reading the book.
- 他 总是 觉得 自己 不如 别人 。He always thinks
he's not as good as other people.
Advanced Pattern
When an adjective or verb is added to the structure it can then
be used to mean A is not as 'adjective' as B, or A does not 'verb'
as well as B:
Structure
A + Verb + 得 + 不如 + B + Adj.
A + Verb-Obj. + 不如 + B+ (Verb + 得) + Adj.
Examples
- 这 件 裙子 不如 那 件 好看 。This dress
doesn't look as good as that one.
- 那个 说法 不如 这个 说法 实用 。This saying
isn't as practical as that one.
- 他 穿 得 不如 你 好看 。He doesn't dress as
well as you do.
- 我 担心 我 解释 得 不如 你 清楚 。I'm afraid
that I can't explain as clearly as you do.
- 他 说 中文 不如 他 老婆 说 得 地道 。He doesn't
speak Chinese as authentically as his wife does.
- 我 打字 不如 你 打 得 快 。I don't type as
fast as you do.
不如 as an Adverb
When facing a choice, 不如 can also be used to mean "might as
well" to emphasize the choice is the better of two options. When
used like this, it is similar in meaning to 不妨.
Examples
- 在 家 看 电视 多 无聊 ！不如 去 KTV 吧 。 ,
might as well .
- 我们 在 这里 等 也 是 浪费 时间 ，不如 先 去 吃 个 饭 吧 。It's a waste of time for us to wait here.We might as well
go out and eat something first.
- 与其 空想，不如 马上 行动 。Rather
than fantasizing, you might as well take action right
away.
- 与其 天天 吵架 ，不如 离婚 。Rather
than fighting each and every day, you might as well break
up.
As in the last two example sentences, 不如 often occurs in the
与其...不如 structure, meaning "rather than X... might as well Y."
See also
Sources and further
reading
Books
Category:
B2 grammar points