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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "not as good as" with 不如 (bùrú) as a verb

    HSK 4
    Comparison

    Structure

    N1 + 不如 + N2

    Explanation

    As a verb, 不如 directly compares two things, meaning "is not as good as" or "is inferior to." It places the lesser option as the subject. For example, 他不如你 means "he is not as good as you."

    Examples

    • 他的中文不如你说得好。

      Tā de Zhōngwén bùrú nǐ shuō de hǎo.

      His Chinese isn't as good as yours.

    • 今年的成绩不如去年。

      Jīnnián de chéngjì bùrú qùnián.

      This year's results aren't as good as last year's.

    • 坐公交不如坐地铁快。

      Zuò gōngjiāo bùrú zuò dìtiě kuài.

      Taking the bus isn't as fast as taking the subway.

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