不利于

• Pinyin: bù lì yú
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 = not; 利 = 禾 (grain) + 刂 (knife), meaning sharp/beneficial; 于 = preposition

Meaning

Unfavorable to; detrimental to; not conducive to.

A formal expression indicating that something has negative effects on or works against something else. Common in academic, policy, and analytical discussions.

Examples

1. 长期熬夜不利于身体健康，应该尽量避免。 Staying up late long-term is detrimental to physical health and should be avoided.
2. 这种封闭的管理方式不利于企业创新。 This closed management style is not conducive to corporate innovation.
3. 过度保护孩子反而不利于他们独立性格的养成。 Overprotecting children actually works against the development of their independence.

Usage Guide

Context: analysis, advice, policy

Tone: warning

Do Say

• 吸烟不利于健康。(Smoking is detrimental to health.)
• 这项政策不利于中小企业发展。(This policy is unfavorable to the development of small businesses.)

Don't Say

• 这个天气不利于我的心情。(For casual expressions, use 影响 — 不利于 is more formal/analytical)

Origin & History

不 (not) + 利于 (beneficial to). The negation of something being beneficial.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated