比不上

• Pinyin: bǐ bu shàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 比 = two people side by side (compare); 不 = not; 上 = up

Meaning

Cannot compare to; is not as good as; falls short of.

A humble or factual way to say someone or something doesn't measure up to another. Used for comparisons where one party is clearly inferior. Can be self-deprecating or an honest assessment.

Examples

1. 我做的菜比不上我妈做的，差得远呢。 The food I make doesn't compare to my mom's — not even close.
2. 论经验，我比不上他，毕竟他干了二十年了。 In terms of experience, I can't match him — after all, he's been doing this for twenty years.
3. 这家店的服务比不上以前了，变得很敷衍。 This store's service isn't what it used to be — it's become very perfunctory.

Usage Guide

Context: comparison, self-deprecation, assessment

Tone: humble

Do Say

• 我的中文比不上你的。(My Chinese isn't as good as yours.)
• 新版比不上老版好看。(The new version isn't as good-looking as the old one.)

Don't Say

• 贬低别人时用'比不上' (Don't use 比不上 to put others down — it's typically used for humble self-comparison or neutral observations)

Origin & History

比 (to compare) + 不 (not) + 上 (up to). Cannot compare upward to something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal