kànbuqǐ: 看不起 - To Look Down On, To Scorn, To Despise [The Contextual Chinese Dictionary]

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====== kànbuqǐ: 看不起 - To Look Down On, To Scorn, To Despise ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** kànbuqǐ, kanbuqi, 看不起, look down on Chinese, despise in Chinese, scorn in Chinese, Chinese word for disrespect, how to say look down on in Mandarin, Chinese social status, mianzi, face culture.
  * **Summary:** Learn the powerful Chinese term **看不起 (kànbuqǐ)**, which means "to look down on" or "to despise." This entry explores its deep cultural meaning beyond a simple translation, connecting it to social status, respect, and the concept of "face" (面子) in China. Understand how to use **kànbuqǐ** correctly in conversation and avoid common mistakes, with practical examples that reveal the nuances of Chinese social dynamics.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** kànbùqǐ
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb Phrase
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 4
  * **Concise Definition:** To look down on someone; to hold a person in contempt.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **看不起 (kànbuqǐ)** is a direct and potent expression of scorn. It's not just about disliking someone; it’s about viewing them as inferior, whether due to their job, income, background, or abilities. The feeling behind it is a mix of arrogance and disdain. To be on the receiving end of **看不起** is to be made to feel small, worthless, and disrespected.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **看 (kàn):** To look, to see, to watch. This is the physical act of seeing.
  * **不 (bù):** Not, no. The standard negating character.
  * **起 (qǐ):** To rise, to get up. In this context, it takes on a more abstract meaning: "to raise up" in one's estimation or mind.
When combined, **看不起 (kànbuqǐ)** literally means "to look at (someone) but not be able to raise them up." This vivid construction paints a clear picture: you are looking at a person, and in your own mind, you cannot elevate them to your level of respect. They remain "down," hence, you "look down on" them.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
**看不起 (kànbuqǐ)** is more than a personal feeling; it's a social act deeply tied to the concepts of hierarchy and **[[面子 (miànzi)|face]]**.
In Chinese culture, where social harmony and mutual respect are paramount, openly making someone feel **看不起** is a serious social transgression. It directly causes the other person to **[[丢脸 (diūliǎn)|lose face]]**, which is a significant social embarrassment. This feeling can arise from perceived differences in:
  * **Socio-economic Status:** The wealth gap is a common source. A wealthy person might be accused of **看不起** someone with less money.
  * **Urban vs. Rural Divide:** There is a persistent stereotype of city dwellers looking down on people from the countryside.
  * **Education and Profession:** Someone with a prestigious degree or a white-collar job might look down on a blue-collar worker.
Unlike the Western concept of "looking down on someone," which can often be a private, internal judgment, the act of **看不起** in China has a much stronger public and social component. The fear of being looked down upon is a powerful motivator for many people to work hard, earn money, and achieve status—not just for personal success, but to secure respect for themselves and their family.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**看不起** is a common word used in everyday conversation, movies, and social media. It is almost always used with a strong negative connotation.
  * **Accusations:** It is often used to directly accuse someone of being snobbish or arrogant. For example, "**你是不是看不起我？**" (Are you looking down on me?). This is a confrontational question.
  * **Describing Others:** You can use it to describe a third person's attitude, e.g., "**他看不起没上过大学的人**" (He looks down on people who haven't been to college).
  * **Expressing Resolve:** People often use it to express their determination to succeed in the face of scorn. For example, "**总有一天，我要让那些看不起我的人后悔**" (One day, I will make those who looked down on me regret it).
  * **Passive Voice with 被 (bèi):** It's frequently used with the passive marker **被 (bèi)** to express the feeling of being scorned: "**我感觉被他看不起**" (I feel like I'm being looked down on by him).
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 你为什么用那种眼神看我？你是不是**看不起**我？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme yòng nà zhǒng yǎnshén kàn wǒ? Nǐ shì bùshì **kànbuqǐ** wǒ?
    * English: Why are you looking at me like that? Are you looking down on me?
    * Analysis: This is a direct and confrontational use of the term. The speaker feels judged and is demanding an explanation.
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 他很成功，但是他从来不**看不起**穷人。
    * Pinyin: Tā hěn chénggōng, dànshì tā cónglái bù **kànbuqǐ** qióngrén.
    * English: He is very successful, but he never looks down on the poor.
    * Analysis: This is used to praise someone's character, highlighting their humility despite their success.
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 我要努力学习，不让别人**看不起**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ yào nǔlì xuéxí, bù ràng biérén **kànbuqǐ**.
    * English: I need to study hard so that I don't let others look down on me.
    * Analysis: This shows how the fear of being looked down on can be a strong motivator for self-improvement.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 别**看不起**这份工作，虽然工资不高，但是很稳定。
    * Pinyin: Bié **kànbuqǐ** zhè fèn gōngzuò, suīrán gōngzī bù gāo, dànshì hěn wěndìng.
    * English: Don't look down on this job. Although the salary isn't high, it's very stable.
    * Analysis: A common piece of advice, telling someone to value things beyond superficial metrics like pay.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 她父母因为我的家庭背景而有点**看不起**我。
    * Pinyin: Tā fùmǔ yīnwèi wǒ de jiātíng bèijǐng ér yǒudiǎn **kànbuqǐ** wǒ.
    * English: Her parents kind of look down on me because of my family background.
    * Analysis: The use of "有点 (yǒudiǎn)" softens the tone, suggesting a subtle rather than overt scorn. This is a very common scenario in relationship dramas.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 他从小就被人**看不起**，所以他特别想证明自己。
    * Pinyin: Tā cóngxiǎo jiù bèi rén **kànbuqǐ**, suǒyǐ tā tèbié xiǎng zhèngmíng zìjǐ.
    * English: He was looked down upon by others since he was a child, so he has a strong desire to prove himself.
    * Analysis: Here, the passive structure with **被 (bèi)** is used to emphasize the experience of being the target of scorn.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 我最讨厌那些**看不起**服务员的顾客。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ zuì tǎoyàn nàxiē **kànbuqǐ** fúwùyuán de gùkè.
    * English: I really hate those customers who look down on waiters/waitresses.
    * Analysis: This expresses a strong personal value, condemning arrogance towards people in service industries.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 你不应该因为别人一次的失败就**看不起**他。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ bù yìnggāi yīnwèi biérén yīcì de shībài jiù **kànbuqǐ** tā.
    * English: You shouldn't look down on someone just because they failed once.
    * Analysis: This is a sentence of admonishment, teaching a moral lesson about judging others.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 从老板的语气里，我能感觉到他**看不起**我的提议。
    * Pinyin: Cóng lǎobǎn de yǔqì lǐ, wǒ néng gǎnjué dào tā **kànbuqǐ** wǒ de tíyì.
    * English: From the boss's tone of voice, I could feel that he looked down on my proposal.
    * Analysis: **看不起** can be applied not just to people, but also to things associated with them, like their ideas or work.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 当初所有人都**看不起**他的想法，现在他的公司上市了。
    * Pinyin: Dāngchū suǒyǒu rén dōu **kànbuqǐ** tā de xiǎngfǎ, xiànzài tā de gōngsī shàngshì le.
    * English: In the beginning, everyone looked down on his idea, and now his company has gone public.
    * Analysis: A classic "underdog" story, showing how initial scorn was proven wrong by later success.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`看不起` vs. `不喜欢 (bù xǐhuān)` - Contempt vs. Dislike:** This is the most common mistake for learners. **不喜欢 (bù xǐhuān)** simply means "to not like." You can dislike your friend's new shirt, but you don't hold them in contempt for it. **看不起** implies a judgment of someone's fundamental worth.
    * **Correct:** 我不喜欢这个菜。(Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhège cài.) - I don't like this dish.
    * **Incorrect:** 我看不起这个菜。(Wǒ kànbuqǐ zhège cài.) - This sounds very strange, as if you have contempt for the dish's social status.
  * **`看不起` is not "can't see":** A beginner might see **看 (kàn)** and **不 (bù)** and think it means "can't see." The correct term for "can't see" is **看不见 (kàn bu jiàn)**. The **起 (qǐ)** is essential to the meaning of "looking down on."
  * **`看不起` vs. `买不起 (mǎibuqǐ)`:** These two phrases sound similar and share the `不起` structure, which can be confusing.
    * **看不起 (kànbuqǐ):** To look down on (about respect).
    * **买不起 (mǎibuqǐ):** Can't afford to buy (about money).
    * Remember: **看 (kàn)** is for looking, **买 (mǎi)** is for buying.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[瞧不起]] (qiáobuqǐ):** A very close synonym for `看不起`. `瞧 (qiáo)` is a more colloquial word for "to look." They are often used interchangeably.
  * **[[看得起]] (kàndeqǐ):** The direct antonym. It means to think highly of someone, to respect them. "他很看得起我" means "He holds me in high regard."
  * **[[看重]] (kànzhòng):** A near antonym. To value, to regard as important. It focuses more on the importance