相提并论

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: xiāng tí bìng lùn
• English Translation: To discuss or treat things as if they are of the same level or category, often inappropriately combining different matters.
• Idiom Composition: 「相」（Mutually, each other）＋「提」（To bring up, to mention）＋「并」（To put together, to combine）＋「论」（To discuss, to argue）
• Meaning: To treat things that are originally different or have different levels or values as if they are equal. It is often used with a negative nuance to criticize inappropriate comparisons or evaluations.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「相提并论」 contains the following nuances:

• Inappropriate comparison: Points out treating things that should not be compared as if they are on the same level.
• Ignoring differences in level: Includes criticism of regarding things with different values or levels as equal.
• Lack of fairness: Suggests ignoring differences between compared items and lacking fair evaluation.

3. Usage

「相提并论」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Negative evaluation: Used to express criticism or denial of treating different things as equal.
  • Example:「这两部电影的风格完全不同，不能相提并论。」
    （These two movies have completely different styles and cannot be discussed on the same level.）
• Pointing out unreasonable comparison: Used to point out clear differences between compared items.
  • Example:「把业余选手和职业选手相提并论是不公平的。」
    （It is unfair to treat amateur and professional players as the same.）
• Correcting mistaken perception: Used to correct the mistaken perception of treating different things as equal.
  • Example:「我们不能把这两个概念相提并论，它们有着本质的区别。」
    （We should not discuss these two concepts as the same, as they have essential differences.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他的才能和努力，岂能与那些只靠运气的人相提并论？
   （Can his talent and effort be compared on the same level with those who rely only on luck?）
2. 这次事件的严重性，不能与以往的小事故相提并论。
   （The seriousness of this incident cannot be treated as equal to previous minor accidents.）
3. 尽管他们都是作家，但他们的文学成就不能相提并论。
   （Although they are both writers, their literary achievements cannot be discussed on the same level.）
4. 在这个问题上，我们不能把个人利益和国家利益相提并论。
   （On this issue, we cannot treat personal interests and national interests as equal.）
5. 这两种方案各有优劣，不能简单地相提并论。
   （These two plans each have advantages and disadvantages and cannot be simply discussed on the same level.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In Chinese culture, comparing and evaluating things is common. The idiom '相提并论' is used to caution against inappropriate comparisons within this cultural context.
• While '相提并论' is often used in a negative context, in some cases it simply refers to the act of comparing things.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 一概而论 (yì gài ér lùn): To generalize without considering individual differences.
  • 等量齐观 (děng liàng qí guān): To regard different things as equal.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 各有千秋 (gè yǒu qiān qiū): Each has its own merits and cannot be simply compared.
  • 泾渭分明 (jīng wèi fēn míng): Clear distinction between things.

6. Summary

'相提并论' is an idiom used to criticize treating different things as equal or to point out inappropriate comparisons. When using this expression, it is important to clarify the differences between the compared items and strive for fair evaluation. Since comparative expressions are frequently used in Chinese, understanding this idiom can enhance your expressive ability in the language.