Definition
谈不上 is a fixed resultative-complement phrase meaning 'can't be considered as; far from being'. It's used to downplay a quality, level, or relationship — you insert a noun or adjective (often preceded by 很 or 太) between 谈 and 不上, or use it before a verb phrase to express that something doesn't meet a certain standard. It often appears in contrastive contexts: 连X都谈不上 ('not even qualify as X').
r.v.
cannot be considered asfar fromnot even close to being
Examples
- 谈不上，。Tā de shuǐpíng tán bu shàng hǎo, zhǐshì néng dǒng yìdiǎn.His level can hardly be called good — he only understands a little.
- 谈不上，。Wǒ gēn tā tán bu shàng hěn shú, zhǐ jiàn guò yí cì miàn.I can't say I know her well; I've only met her once.
- 谈不上，。Tā lián jīběn tiáojiàn dōu tán bu shàng, gèng bié tí chūsè le.He doesn't even meet the basic requirements, let alone being outstanding.
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