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March 24, 2026
不利()búlì(bu2li4)
不利 (bù lì) means unfavorable or disadvantageous, often used to describe situations or conditions that hinder progress or success. It can refer to both tangible and intangible factors, such as a negative environment or unfriendly circumstances in business or personal contexts.
Frequency#4161DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of being 不利 is often discussed in the context of business negotiations in China, where understanding the dynamics of advantage and disadvantage can significantly impact outcomes. This reflects the value placed on strategic thinking and risk assessment.
Memory Tip
Think of 不 (bù) as a 'no' or 'not' and 利 (lì) which looks like a 'benefit' or 'advantage.' Together, 不利 represents 'not beneficial.' Imagine a sign saying 'No Benefits!' to help remember its meaning.
Meanings of 不利
búlì(bu2li4)
1unfavorable
2disadvantageous
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About 不利
不利Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 不利
Podcast: 不利
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AI Study Notes for 不利
Quick Contrast
不利 (bù lì) vs 不利于 (bù lì yú) — use 不利 to describe a situation or condition itself, while 不利于 emphasizes the effect on a specific subject.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 不 (bù) as a 'no' or 'not' and 利 (lì) which looks like a 'benefit' or 'advantage.' Together, 不利 represents 'not beneficial.' Imagine a sign saying 'No Benefits!' to help remember its meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 不利 with 有利 (yǒu lì), which means advantageous. It's important to use 不利 in contexts where you are describing negative consequences or conditions. This term is more formal and may often appear in news articles or academic discussions.
HSK Study Tips
不利 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary list, but understanding it can enhance comprehension of discussions surrounding economics or social issues. Students should focus on recognizing it in written texts to better understand the context in which it appears.
Cultural Note
The concept of being 不利 is often discussed in the context of business negotiations in China, where understanding the dynamics of advantage and disadvantage can significantly impact outcomes. This reflects the value placed on strategic thinking and risk assessment.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 不利 in contexts where a more neutral term is appropriate, such as saying '这件事不利' (This matter is unfavorable) instead of '这件事有挑战' (This matter has challenges). Also, confusing it with 利 (lì) alone, which can lead to misunderstanding.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 不利
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Cultural Notes for 不利
💡Did you know?
In Chinese, '不利' is often used in both personal and professional contexts. It highlights the importance of favorable conditions in achieving success, whether in business negotiations or sports competitions.
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of being 不利 is often discussed in the context of business negotiations in China, where understanding the dynamics of advantage and disadvantage can significantly impact outcomes. This reflects the value placed on strategic thinking and risk assessment.
📜Proverb
The proverb '不怕慢，就怕站' (not afraid of going slow, but afraid of stopping) reflects the idea that even in unfavorable situations, perseverance is key to overcoming challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions about 不利
Yes, 不利 is frequently used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in discussions about economics, politics, and personal situations where disadvantages are discussed.
Some synonyms for 不利 include 不利于 (bù lì yú), which means 'not conducive to', and 不利条件 (bù lì tiáojiàn), which means 'adverse conditions'. These terms convey similar meanings in various contexts.
不利 (bù lì) means 'unfavorable' or 'disadvantageous'. It is often used to describe situations, conditions, or outcomes that are not beneficial for someone or something.
不利 can be used in sentences to describe negative effects or conditions. For example, you might say '这项政策对经济不利' which translates to 'This policy is unfavorable for the economy.'
You can say, '这项政策对小企业是不利的' (This policy is unfavorable for small businesses).
While it's more formal, you can use 不利 in everyday conversations when discussing negative situations, but consider using simpler terms for casual talk.
The opposite is 有利 (yǒu lì), meaning advantageous or beneficial.
