bù不notxiāng相each othershàng上abovexià下below
About the same; equally matched; neck and neck.
Literal meaning
not (不) — each other (相) — above (上) — below (下)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase indicating a close similarity or equality.
Examples
Tā他men们de的shuǐ水píng平bù不xiāng相shàng上xià下。
Their skill levels are about the same.
Zhè这liǎng两zhī支qiú球duì队shí实lì力bù不xiāng相shàng上xià下。
These two teams are equally matched.
Usage & nuances
Often used in comparisons to indicate a lack of significant difference.
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