Taxonomy of meanings for 不如:　　

  • PREFER
    • VPt[0]+V[0]subjectiveit is better/best to
    • VPt0+V1.postV2(instead of V2) I would rather V1
  • BAD
    • VPt(oN)be not as good as the contextually determinate N; be lesser than
    • VPt+NPab{S}stativebe inferior to S
    • VPt+V[0]be not as good as V-ing
    • VPtoNstative吾不如老農"I am inferior to an old peasant":be inferior to; be lesser than; be not as good as
    • vt(o.N1adN2)be inferior the contextually determinate N2 of the contextually determinate N1CH
  • SHOULD
    • VPt[0]+V[0]It is best to V!
    • VPt+V[0]had better, should ideally, should under the circumstances, should given the alternatives that the situation presents