# 相形见绌

xiāng xíng jiàn chù

Look inferior by comparison

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Reveal inadequacy beside another

**Traditional Chinese:** 相形見絀

**Register:** Comparative · general

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Compare something unfavorably with a stronger counterpart.

Relative inferiority does not mean absolute uselessness.

## Understanding the expression

An object or ability may seem adequate when viewed alone, yet a stronger comparison reveals its limitations. The expression focuses on that change in judgment. A camera, argument, or performance can pale beside another without being worthless in every setting. It usually appears with a named comparison or one already clear from context. Learners should identify the relevant standard rather than assume that the weaker item fails at everything.

## Examples

旧手机的夜景效果相形见绌。

### Traditional Chinese

舊手機的夜景效果相形見絀。

jiù shǒu jī de yè jǐng xiào guǒ xiāng xíng jiàn chù 。

The old phone's night photos pale by comparison.

相比她的准备，我的报告相形见绌。

### Traditional Chinese

相比她的準備，我的報告相形見絀。

xiāng bǐ tā de zhǔn bèi ， wǒ de bào gào xiāng xíng jiàn chù 。

My report looks weak beside her preparation.

新系统上线后，旧流程相形见绌。

### Traditional Chinese

新系統上線後，舊流程相形見絀。

xīn xì tǒng shàng xiàn hòu ， jiù liú chéng xiāng xíng jiàn chù 。

The old process looks inadequate beside the new system.

他的解释在证据面前相形见绌。

### Traditional Chinese

他的解釋在證據面前相形見絀。

tā de jiě shì zài zhèng jù miàn qián xiāng xíng jiàn chù 。

His explanation looks inadequate beside the evidence.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%9B%B8%E5%BD%A2%E8%A6%8B%E7%B5%80)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=457&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [小家碧玉 xiǎo jiā bì yù A graceful young woman associated with a modest household ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiao-jia-bi-yu)

- [小巧玲珑 xiǎo qiǎo líng lóng Small, delicate, and finely made ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiao-qiao-ling-long)

- [心不在焉 xīn bù zài yān Be mentally elsewhere ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-bu-zai-yan)

- [心旷神怡 xīn kuàng shén yí Feel refreshed, relaxed, and delighted ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-kuang-shen-yi)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 相敬如宾 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiang-jing-ru-bin) [Next idiom 萧规曹随 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiao-gui-cao-sui)