Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
谈不上(談不上)tánbushàng(tan2bu5shang4)
谈不上 (tán bù shàng) means 'to be out of the question' or 'cannot be considered.' It is commonly used in situations where something is deemed impossible or inappropriate, expressing that a certain thought or idea cannot be taken seriously. This phrase often conveys a sense of dismissal regarding a suggestion or proposal.
Frequency#28877DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, humility and modesty are valued; hence, saying something is '谈不上' reflects a cultural tendency to downplay one's abilities or achievements. This phrase can often be heard in discussions about personal accomplishments or opportunities.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone making a lofty claim about achieving the impossible. You can visualize them talking (谈) but not being able to reach (上) that goal at all (不). The character 谈 looks like a person speaking, while 上 represents elevation, emphasizing that the claim is far beyond reach.
Meanings of 谈不上
tánbushàng(tan2bu5shang4)
1to be out of the question
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 谈不上
谈不上Simplified
談不上Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 谈不上
Podcast: 谈不上
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 谈不上
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine someone making a lofty claim about achieving the impossible. You can visualize them talking (谈) but not being able to reach (上) that goal at all (不). The character 谈 looks like a person speaking, while 上 represents elevation, emphasizing that the claim is far beyond reach.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when using this phrase; the third tone (上) can easily be mispronounced if not practiced. It is generally used in informal contexts, but can be adapted to formal situations by adjusting the surrounding language. Common collocations include phrases like '谈不上什么' (can't be considered as anything).
HSK Study Tips
While 谈不上 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with other expressions related to negation and impossibility, such as 不能 (bù néng) or 不可能 (bù kě néng). Focus on using it in conversation to express skepticism or disagreement with ideas.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, humility and modesty are valued; hence, saying something is '谈不上' reflects a cultural tendency to downplay one's abilities or achievements. This phrase can often be heard in discussions about personal accomplishments or opportunities.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 谈不上 with 说不上, mistakenly using it to mean 'cannot say.' For example, saying '我谈不上这件事' (I can't talk about this matter) should be corrected to '我说不上这件事.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 谈不上
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 谈不上 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 谈不上 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 谈不上
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, humility and modesty are valued; hence, saying something is '谈不上' reflects a cultural tendency to downplay one's abilities or achievements. This phrase can often be heard in discussions about personal accomplishments or opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions about 谈不上
Use 谈不上 when you want to dismiss an idea or claim as unrealistic or impossible.
It is generally used in spoken or informal contexts, but can be adapted for formal situations if necessary.
Yes, it's often used to express modesty about one's own skills or achievements.
