Comparisons with 不如
The construction 不如 denotes that "A" is worse than "B".
How to make comparisons with 不如
The construction with 不如 
is formed by the following structure:
is formed by the following structure:Scheme
A
不如
B
Pay attention
Sometimes 不如 can be preceded by the adverbs 还 or 倒 .
or 倒 .
Examples
这个房子倒不如那个房子
However, this house is not as good as that house
zhè ge fángzi dào bùrú nà ge fángzi
餐厅的菜不如你自己做的
Restaurant food is not as good as yours
cāntīng de cài bùrú nǐ zìjǐ zuò de
It can also be specified why "A" is worse than "B". This feature can be expressed either by an adjective or a verb with an object.
Scheme
A
不如
B
feature
why is it worse?
Pay attention
The adverb 那么 can be placed before the feature to emphasize the comparison.
can be placed before the feature to emphasize the comparison.Examples
这个房子不如那个房子大
This house is not as big as that house
zhè ge fángzi bùrú nà ge fángzi dà
看电影不如看书那么有意思
Watching a film is not as interesting as reading a book
kàn diànyǐng bùrú kàn shū nàme yǒuyìsi
我不如你会写作
I'm not as good at writing as you are
wǒ bùrú nǐ huì xiězuò
The constructions with 不如 are commonly used in formal language. In spoken language, they are not as common as other comparative structures.
In colloquial speech, 不如 is often used as irony or sarcasm.
Examples
我不如你丑
I'm not as ugly as you are
wǒ bùrú nǐ chǒu
The structure with 不如 as a state complement
Comparative structures can serve as a state complement. Read more about this topic here ↓
The structure 不如…好
不如 is used not only to compare objects, but also to indicate how best to act in a certain situation.
In this case, the construction is used in a compound sentence and 不如 is translated as "it would be better to".
A situation is described in the first part of a sentence, and an action is indicated in a second part of the sentence after 不如. In the speaker's opinion, this action is the best solution for the situation.
Often the adverb 好 is placed at the end of a sentence.
is placed at the end of a sentence.Scheme
situation
不如
solution
what's the best action to take?
好
Examples
天气糟糕透了，还不如待在家里好
The weather is awful, it's better to stay at home
tiānqì zāogāo tòule, hái bùrú dài zài jiālǐ hǎo
牛奶过期了，不如扔掉好
The milk has expired, it is better to throw it out
niúnǎi guòqí le, bùrú rēng diào hǎo
如果 is added at the beginning of a construction when it is a possible or conditional situation.
is added at the beginning of a construction when it is a possible or conditional situation. Pay attention
Sometimes the adverbs 那么 or 那 are added in the second part of a sentence.
Examples
如果你觉得不舒服，不如回家
If you feel unwell, you'd better go home
rúguǒ nǐ juéde bù shūfu, bùrú huí jiā
如果你喜欢我们的车，那不如也买下我们的船
If you like our car, why don't you buy our boat too?
rúguǒ nǐ xǐhuan wǒmen de chē, nà bùrú yě mǎixià wǒmen de chuán
The structure 与其…不如…
The structure 与其…不如… is used to compare two actions.
If there is a subject in the sentence, it is placed before 与其.
is used to compare two actions.
If there is a subject in the sentence, it is placed before 与其.Scheme
(subject)
与其
A
the worst action
不如
B
the best action
Examples
你与其乘电梯，不如步行上楼
Rather than taking the elevator, it would be better to walk upstairs
nǐ yǔqí chéng diàntī, bùrú bùxíng shàng lóu
与其吃糖果不如吃个苹果
It'd be better to eat an apple instead of candy
yǔqí chī tángguǒ bùrú chī ge píngguǒ
Instead of 不如, its synonyms 宁 and 宁可 can be used.
and 宁可 can be used.Examples
与其让他干这件事，我宁可自己动手
I'd rather do it myself than let him do it
yǔqí ràng tā gàn zhè jiàn shì, wǒ nìngkě zìjǐ dòngshǒu
Questions with 不如
In sentences with 不如, questions can be formed by adding 是不是 before it.
before it.Examples
这个房子是不是不如那个房子？
Is this house not as good as that house?
zhè ge fángzi shìbushì bùrú nà ge fángzi
自行车是不是不如汽车快？
Are bicycles not as fast as cars?
zìxíngchē shìbushì bùrú qìchē kuài