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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to be no match for' with 敌 (dí)

    Actions & Events
    Comparison

    Structure

    不 + 敌 + Opponent

    Explanation

    The verb 敌 (dí) means 'to match' or 'to rival,' and in the negative form 不敌 (bùdí) it means 'to be no match for' or 'to lose to.' It is commonly used in sports reporting and military contexts to describe one side being unable to compete with another. 不敌 is concise and formal, typical of written Chinese.

    Examples

    • 主队最终不敌对手，以二比三落败。

      zhǔduì zuìzhōng bù dí duìshǒu, yǐ èr bǐ sān luòbài.

      The home team ultimately lost to their opponents two to three.

    • 小组赛中，中国队不敌巴西队。

      xiǎozǔ sài zhōng, zhōngguó duì bù dí bāxī duì.

      In the group stage, the Chinese team lost to the Brazilian team.

    • 寡不敌众，他们只好撤退了。

      guǎ bù dí zhòng, tāmen zhǐhǎo chètuì le.

      Outnumbered, they had no choice but to retreat.

    Expressing 'to be no match for' with 敌 (dí) | Chinese Grammar