English–Chinese
“can't afford to eat” in Chinese
Chinese
Pronunciation
Pinyinchī bù shàng
Example
那家饭店太贵了，我们吃不上。nà jiā fàn diàn tài guì le wǒ men chī bú shàng
That restaurant is too expensive, so we can't afford to eat there.
How to say “can't afford to eat” in Chinese
“Can't afford to eat” in Chinese is 吃不上 (chī bù shàng).
A desired meal stays out of reach because circumstances block access to it.
Example sentences with 吃不上
限量版手机价格太高，很多人都吃不上。xiàn liàng bǎn shǒu jī jià gé tài gāo hěn duō rén dōu chī bú shàng
The limited-edition phone is priced too high, so many people can't afford to buy one.
Tips for using 吃不上
- Unlike a statement about taste or appetite, this form points to an outside obstacle, such as a high price, a sold-out dish, or a full booking.