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March 24, 2026
吃不上()chībushàng(chi1bu5shang4)
吃不上 (chī bù shàng) means 'unable to get anything to eat' or 'to miss a meal'. It typically describes a situation where someone is unable to access food due to circumstances such as lack of availability or time constraints. This phrase can express a sense of urgency or frustration regarding hunger.
Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sharing meals is significant, and missing a meal can indicate social or economic issues. The phrase may also reflect the importance placed on food accessibility in conversations about daily life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a plate of food that is just out of reach, symbolizing the '不' (bù) or 'not' part of the phrase. Picture a person stretching their hand towards it but unable to grasp it, linking the sound 'shang' to '上' (shàng), which implies upward or reaching, reinforcing the idea of missing out on food.
Meanings of 吃不上
chībushàng(chi1bu5shang4)
1unable to get anything to eat
2to miss a meal
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About 吃不上
吃不上Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 吃不上
Podcast: 吃不上
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AI Study Notes for 吃不上
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a plate of food that is just out of reach, symbolizing the '不' (bù) or 'not' part of the phrase. Picture a person stretching their hand towards it but unable to grasp it, linking the sound 'shang' to '上' (shàng), which implies upward or reaching, reinforcing the idea of missing out on food.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 吃不上 with 吃不饱 (chī bù bǎo), which means 'unable to eat enough'. However, 吃不上 specifically highlights the inability to eat at all. This phrase is more common in informal contexts, especially when discussing meal availability.
HSK Study Tips
While 吃不上 is not an HSK vocabulary term, it introduces students to practical expressions involving eating and hunger. It's beneficial to study this alongside related terms like 吃 (chī) and 饱 (bǎo) to deepen understanding of food-related language.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sharing meals is significant, and missing a meal can indicate social or economic issues. The phrase may also reflect the importance placed on food accessibility in conversations about daily life.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly say 吃不上 (chī bù shàng) when they mean to say 吃不饱 (chī bù bǎo). For example, saying '我吃不上' when they mean '我吃不饱' (I can't eat enough) is incorrect. The correct use is crucial to convey the right meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 吃不上
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Cultural Notes for 吃不上
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, sharing meals is significant, and missing a meal can indicate social or economic issues. The phrase may also reflect the importance placed on food accessibility in conversations about daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions about 吃不上
You can say, '今天我忙得吃不上饭' (Jīntiān wǒ máng de chī bù shàng fàn), meaning 'Today I'm so busy that I can't eat.'
Yes, 吃不上 implies a negative situation where food is not accessible, often conveying a sense of urgency or disappointment.
It's generally more informal, so in formal contexts, you might prefer to explain the situation using more neutral language.
