kànbuqǐ: 看不起 - To Look Down On, To Scorn, To Despise

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• `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.

• 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