qiáobuqǐ: 瞧不起 - To Look Down On, To Scorn, To Despise

• Keywords: qiáobuqǐ, 瞧不起, look down on in Chinese, how to say despise in Chinese, Chinese word for scorn, qiaobuqi meaning, Chinese verbs, social status in China, Mandarin slang, HSK 4 word.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 瞧不起 (qiáobuqǐ), meaning 'to look down on' or 'to despise'. This comprehensive guide explores its cultural significance related to social status and 'face' (面子), provides practical examples for everyday conversation, and explains how to use it correctly to express scorn or contempt in Mandarin Chinese. Understand why someone might 瞧不起 another person and avoid common mistakes with this deep dive into a crucial social concept.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qiáo bu qǐ
• Part of Speech: Verb (Resultative Verb Compound)
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To hold someone or something in contempt; to look down on.
• In a Nutshell: 瞧不起 is a powerful verb that expresses a sense of superiority over someone or something. It's not just a simple dislike; it implies that you view the target as inferior, unworthy of respect, or contemptible. The feeling is a mix of disdain, scorn, and judgment. It’s the verbal equivalent of looking down your nose at someone.

• 瞧 (qiáo): To look at, to see. This character is composed of the “eye” radical 目 (mù) and a phonetic component. It's a more informal or colloquial way of saying “to look” compared to 看 (kàn).
• 不 (bù): The common negator “not” or “no”.
• 起 (qǐ): To rise, to get up. Here, it functions as a resultative complement, suggesting the ability to “lift up” something in one's estimation or view.

Literally, the term translates to “look-not-up”. When you 瞧不起 someone, you cannot “look up” to them in your mind. Your gaze (瞧) is directed downwards, signifying that you see them as beneath you, and you are unable (不) to raise (起) them to a level of respect in your eyes.

In Chinese culture, where social hierarchy and the concept of 面子 (miànzi) - face are paramount, being “looked down on” is a significant social slight. To 瞧不起 someone is to directly challenge their social worth, dignity, and position within the group. This is different from simply “disliking” someone in Western culture. Dislike can be a matter of personal taste. 瞧不起, however, is often a social judgment based on perceived objective criteria like wealth, profession, education level, or even family background and place of origin (e.g., a wealthy city-dweller might 瞧不起 a poor migrant worker). Accusing someone with “你是不是瞧不起我？” (Are you looking down on me?) is a serious confrontation, implying they have violated a social norm of basic respect. Conversely, a common piece of moral advice is “不要瞧不起任何人” (Don't look down on anyone), reflecting the cultural value of humility and the understanding that fortunes can change.

瞧不起 is a common term used in daily conversation. It is direct, emotionally charged, and almost always has a negative connotation.

• Making an Accusation: It's often used in a question to confront someone who is being dismissive or arrogant. E.g., “你那是什么态度？瞧不起我吗？” (What's with that attitude? Are you looking down on me?)
• Describing a Character Trait: Used to describe a snobbish or arrogant person. E.g., “他很势利，总是瞧不起穷人。” (He's very snobbish and always looks down on poor people.)
• Expressing Personal Disdain: To state the kind of behavior or people you despise. E.g., “我最瞧不起的就是背后说人坏话的人。” (The people I despise the most are those who talk behind others' backs.)
• As a Warning or Moral Stance: Often used in phrases like “别瞧不起人” (Don't look down on people) as a form of advice or a defiant statement.

• Example 1:
  • 你为什么瞧不起我？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme qiáobuqǐ wǒ?
  • English: Why do you look down on me?
  • Analysis: A direct and confrontational question. The speaker feels they are being treated as inferior and is demanding an explanation.
• Example 2:
  • 我们不应该瞧不起任何人，因为每个人都有自己的价值。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bù yīnggāi qiáobuqǐ rènhé rén, yīnwèi měi ge rén dōu yǒu zìjǐ de jiàzhí.
  • English: We shouldn't look down on anyone, because everyone has their own value.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses a common moral principle, often taught to children or used as a reminder to be humble.
• Example 3:
  • 他这个人很骄傲，总是瞧不起不如他的人。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhè ge rén hěn jiāo'ào, zǒngshì qiáobuqǐ bùrú tā de rén.
  • English: He is a very arrogant person and always looks down on people who are not as good as him