不下于
HSK 6- Comparison
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 不下于 is used for comparison, carrying the meaning of 'no less than', 'not inferior to', or 'on par with'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
不下于 is used to compare two things, emphasizing that subject A reaches a level, quantity, or degree equivalent to or even surpassing subject B. It carries the meaning of "no less than," "not inferior to," or "on a par with." This structure tends to be formal in tone and is commonly used in written language to express a high regard for something.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他的中文水平不下于本地人。繁: 他的中文水平不下於本地人。Tā de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng bú xià yú běndì rén.
His Chinese proficiency is no inferior to that of native speakers.
- 参加的人数不下于一千人。繁: 參加的人數不下於一千人。Cānjiā de rénshù bú xià yú yì qiān rén.
The number of people participating was no less than one thousand.
- 这件产品的质量不下于进口货。繁: 這件產品的質量不下於進口貨。Zhè jiàn chǎnpǐn de zhìliàng bú xià yú jìnkǒu huò.
The quality of this product is not inferior to imported goods.
- 他付出的努力不下于任何人。繁: 他付出的努力不下於任何人。Tā fùchū de nǔlì bú xià yú rènhé rén.
His effort is no less than that of anyone else.
- 这部电影的精彩程度不下于原著。繁: 這部電影的精彩程度不下於原著。Zhè bù diànyǐng de jīngcǎi chéngdù bú xià yú yuánzhù.
The brilliance of this film is no less than that of the original work.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他的个子不下于我。Correct:他的个子不如我高。
不下于 means "not lower than," that is, equal to or higher than. To express the meaning "not as high as," you should use the structure 不如.