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.
看不起 (kànbuqǐ) is more than a personal feeling; it's a social act deeply tied to the concepts of hierarchy and 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 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.
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).