不失为

不失為

bùshīwéi

phrase #36,314

Meanings

1 can still be considered (a)
2 qualifies as
3 is at least

Characters

to be, to count as

Examples

这虽然不是最好的办法，但不失为一个解决方案。

Zhè suīrán bú shì zuì hǎo de bànfǎ, dàn bùshīwéi yí ge jiějué fāng'àn.

Though not the best approach, it can still be considered a solution.

周末去爬山不失为一种放松方式。

Zhōumò qù páshān bùshīwéi yì zhǒng fàngsōng fāngshì.

Going hiking on the weekend qualifies as a way to relax.

Tips

grammar

Pattern: X 不失为 Y. Used to give Y a faint-praise endorsement — 'X may not be ideal, but it does count as a Y'. Y is always something positive. Often paired with 虽然...但... 'although...still...'.

register

Slightly written/formal — common in op-eds, reviews, and considered opinion. Casual speakers say 算是 instead.

Stroke Order

不 bù

失 shī

为 wèi