HSK · Level 58
105 words
Chinese word
说不上
Pronunciation
Pinyinshuō bù shàng
Meaning
- verbhard to say
Example
这个菜好不好吃，我说不上。zhè ge cài hǎo bù hǎo chī wǒ shuō bú shàng
It's hard to say whether this dish tastes good.
More examples
这件事的原因，我说不上来。zhè jiàn shì de yuán yīn wǒ shuō bú shàng lái
I can't put the reason for this into words.
Core concept
A possible answer is in view, but it never becomes definite enough to say.
Common phrases
说不上来shuō bú shàng lái
can't put it into words
Similar words
不好说bù hǎo shuō: A definite answer is not easy to give when the matter is difficult to judge.
难说nán shuō: A confident conclusion is difficult to reach when the result remains uncertain.
说不准shuō bù zhǔn: A prediction or judgment cannot be made accurately when the supporting basis is weak.
Definition in Chinese
口语动词短语，表示对某事无法作出明确判断或确切说明。kóu yǔ dòng cí duán yǔ biǎo shì duì mǒu shì wú fǎ zuò chū míng què pàn duàn huò què qiè shuō míng
Word origin
说 (shuō, "say") + 不 (bù, "not") + 上 (shàng, "reach") treats a clear answer as something that cannot be reached through speech.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, this wording usually signals uncertainty rather than secrecy, so it does not imply that the speaker knows the answer but will not reveal it.
Other meanings
- can't say for sureverb
Opposites
- 断言duàn yánassertverb
Related words
- 说法shuō fǎway of saying somethingnoun
- 口说无凭kǒu shuō wú píngwords alone are no proofidiom