不失为

不失為
bùshīwéi
phrase #36,314

Meanings

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

Examples

HSK 4
Zhōumò qù páshān bùshīwéi yì zhǒng fàngsōng fāngshì.
Going hiking on the weekend qualifies as a way to relax.
HSK 5
Zhè suīrán búshì zuìhǎo de bànfǎ, dàn bùshīwéi yí gè jiějué fāng'àn.
Though not the best approach, it can still be considered a solution.

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 wéi