A 不如 B means "A is not as good as B" or "A cannot compare to B." It often implies overall inferiority, not just one aspect.
General inferiority - A is overall worse than B
Suggestion - Better to do Y than X (不如 + action)
Self-deprecation - Humble way to compare yourself
My Chinese is not as good as his.
When used with an action, 不如 becomes a suggestion: 与其等,不如走 (Rather than wait, better to go).
不如 often implies overall comparison
- 没有 can compare specific traits
- 不如 often compares general quality
不如 + Verb = suggestion
- 不如我们走吧 = Why do we not just go
Related pattern: 与其...不如
- See separate grammar point
My Chinese is not as good as his.
How about we go out to eat.
Taking the bus is not as fast as taking the subway.
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