吃不上

chībushàng

verb HSK 7-9

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 hěnduō rén chībushàng 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 chībushàng 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