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.