How to use 不如
A + 不如 + B (+ predicate); 不如 + suggested action
不如 places the first option below the second on a relevant scale. With no following adjective, it commonly means that the first is inferior or less satisfactory overall. When a specific quality follows, the comparison concerns that quality instead. Actions can also be compared, allowing the speaker to evaluate two ways of doing something rather than two physical objects.
As a suggestion, 不如 introduces a preferable choice, often corresponding to better to or why not in English. The surrounding conversation supplies the alternative being rejected. Distinguish this recommendation from a simple negative comparison: one evaluates two options, while the other proposes what someone should do next.
Examples with pinyin and English
我哥的成绩不如我的。
My older brother's grades are not as good as mine.
看电影不如看原著。
Watching a 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.
这件裙子不如那件好看。
This dress doesn't look as good as that one.
What to remember
- A following predicate can specify the comparison scale.
- Without a predicate, 不如 often evaluates overall quality.
- Use 不如 before an action to suggest a better option.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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