Chinese word

吃不上

Pronunciation

Pinyinchī bù shàng

Meaning

  • verbcan't afford to eat

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.

Illustration for 吃不上 (can't afford to eat)

More examples

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.

Core concept

A desired meal stays out of reach because circumstances block access to it.

Common phrases

  • 吃不上这顿饭chī bú shàng zhè dùn fàn

    can't afford to eat this meal

  • 吃不上那家餐厅的菜chī bú shàng nà jiā cān tīng de cài

    can't afford to eat the food at that restaurant

Similar words

买不到mǎi bú dào: Unable to buy something because no stock is available or it is not sold through usual channels.
买不着mǎi bù zhe: Unable to buy something because the buying opportunity was missed.
订不到dìng bú dào: Unable to book a seat or place because the available reservation slots are full.
抢不到qiǎng bú dào: Unable to get a popular item because other buyers claim it first.

Definition in Chinese

因为外在原因（如价格太高、供给有限或名额已满），无法吃到或买到想吃的东西。yīn wèi wài zài yuán yīn rú jià gé tài gāo gōng jǐ yǒu xiàn huò míng é yǐ mǎn wú fǎ chī dào huò mǎi dào xiǎng chī de dōng xī

Word origin

吃 (chī, "eat") + 不 (bù, "not") + 上 (shàng, "reach") presents eating as an outcome that cannot be reached when circumstances block it.

Usage tips

  • 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.

Opposites

  • 吃得起chī de qǐbe able to afford to eatverb
  • 吃得到chī de dàobe able to obtainverb

Related words

  • 吃不起chī bù qǐnot be able to afford to eatverb
  • 吃亏chī kuītake a lossverb
  • 吃不下chī bú xiànot be able to eatverb

Word lists with this word