吃不上

chībushàng

verb HSK 7

Meanings

1 unable to get food; to not have enough to eat
2 to miss a meal

Characters

to attain; to manage to

A potential complement structure: 吃 + 不 + 上 = 'unable to get to eat.' The 上 means 'to attain/reach.'

Examples

以前很多人吃不上饭。

Yǐqián hěn duō rén chī bushàng fàn.

In the past, many people couldn't get enough to eat.

工作太忙，经常吃不上午饭。

Gōngzuò tài máng, jīngcháng chī bushàng wǔfàn.

Work is too busy — I often miss lunch.

Tips

grammar

This follows the verb + 不 + complement pattern. Compare: 吃得上 (can manage to eat), 吃不上 (can't manage to eat). Similar structures: 买不起 (can't afford), 看不见 (can't see), 听不懂 (can't understand).

Stroke Order

吃 chī

不 bù

上 shàng