不如

bù rú
HSK 2Verb (动)Conjunction (连)

Basic Meaning

v
A very common verb used to express comparison, stating that the first mentioned thing or person does not measure up to the second. Can be preceded by 自, 远, 都 (e.g., 远不如). It is usually neutral.
be not as good as; cannot compare to; (inferior to)
表示前面提到的人或事物比不上后面所说的。
Words:
不如人意自愧不如技不如人
Synonyms:
毋宁莫如不及不比
Antonyms:
媲美胜过超出
Sentences:
  1. 这(zhè)里(lǐ)的(de)天(tiān)气(qì)不(bù)如(rú)我(wǒ)家(jiā)乡(xiāng)的(de)好(hǎo)。
    The weather here is not as good as it is in my hometown.
  2. 他(tā)这(zhè)次(cì)考(kǎo)试(shì)的(de)成(chéng)绩(jī)很(hěn)不(bù)如(rú)人(rén)意(yì)。
    His exam results this time are quite disappointing. (Lit.: not as good as one would wish)
  3. 看(kàn)到(dào)他(tā)的(de)水(shuǐ)平(píng)，我(wǒ)真(zhēn)是(shì)自(zì)愧(kuì)不(bù)如(rú)。
    Seeing his skill level, I really feel inferior. (Lit.: feel ashamed that I am not as good as him)
conj
Used as a conjunction in the structure '与其...不如...' (rather than... it's better to...). The second clause with 不如 presents the preferable choice after a comparison. The '与其' clause can sometimes be omitted in casual speech, leaving 不如 to stand for 'it's better to' on its own.
would be better to; it's better if...; instead of... (it's better to...)
表示经过比较做出选择（常用在后面分句开头，与前面分句的“与其”配合）。
Sentences:
  1. 与(yǔ)其(qí)在(zài)这(zhè)里(lǐ)等(děng)，不(bù)如(rú)我(wǒ)们(men)直(zhí)接(jiē)去(qù)找(zhǎo)他(tā)们(men)。
    Rather than waiting here, it would be better if we go find them directly.
  2. 周(zhōu)末(mò)不(bù)如(rú)去(qù)看(kàn)电(diàn)影(yǐng)吧(ba)。
    For the weekend, it would be better to go see a movie. (The '与其...' phrase is implied)

Characters Breakdown

HSK 1
bù不

no; not

HSK 2
rú如

like; if; such as