相提并论

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: xiāng tí bìng lùn
• English Translation: To mention in the same breath (to place on a par)
• Idiom Composition: 「相」（Each other; mutually）＋「提」（To bring up; to mention）＋「并」（Together; side-by-side）＋「论」（To discuss; to talk about）
• Meaning: To discuss or treat different people or things as if they are on the same level or of the same nature. In modern usage, it is most frequently used in the negative form, such as 不能相提并论 (bù néng xiāng tí bìng lùn), to emphasize that two things are not comparable.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「相提并论」 contains the following nuances:

• Primarily Used in the Negative: While it can be used in positive sentences, it is far more common to see it in negative constructions like 不能相提并论 (bù néng xiāng tí bìng lùn), meaning 'cannot be compared' or 'are not in the same league.'
• Emphasis on Qualitative Difference: The idiom implies that the two subjects are so different in rank, quality, or importance that the very act of comparing them is inappropriate or illogical.

3. Usage

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

• Disparity in Ability or Achievement: Used when there is a clear gap between professional and amateur levels, or between genuine and fake items.
  • Example:「他的业余爱好怎么能跟专业选手的水平相提并论呢？」
    （How can his hobby be mentioned in the same breath as the level of a professional athlete?）
• Different Nature of Events: Used to argue that two events (e.g., a minor mistake vs. a crime) are fundamentally different and should not be treated the same.
  • Example:「这两件事性质完全不同，根本无法相提并论。」
    （These two matters are completely different in nature and simply cannot be placed on a par.）
• Changes Over Time: Used to point out that the current situation is so different from the past that a simple comparison is impossible.
  • Example:「现在的科技发展速度，是十年前完全不能相提并论的。」
    （The current speed of technological development is not in the same league as it was ten years ago.）

Additional Examples:

1. 把这种劣质产品和名牌货相提并论，简直是笑话。
   （It is a complete joke to mention such shoddy products in the same breath as brand-name goods.）
2. 虽然他们是兄弟，但性格迥异，不能相提并论。
   （Although they are brothers, their personalities are vastly different and cannot be compared on the same level.）
3. 这次事故造成的损失巨大，与上次的小擦碰不可相提并论。
   （The losses from this accident are enormous and cannot be compared to the minor fender bender last time.）
4. 你不能把运气和实力相提并论。
   （You cannot equate luck with skill.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• This idiom originates from the Records of the Grand Historian (史记), specifically the 'Biographies of the Marquises of Weiqi and Wu'an' (魏其武安侯列传). The original phrasing was 相提而论 (xiāng tí ér lùn), which evolved into the current four-character form.
• In linguistic terms, it is often categorized as having a 'derogatory' (贬义 - biǎnyì) nuance when used to criticize someone for making an unfair comparison. However, in modern contexts, it is frequently used as a neutral way to describe a significant gap in progress or status.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 同日而语 (tóng rì ér yǔ): To speak of in the same breath; usually used in the negative to emphasize how much things have changed over time.
  • 混为一谈 (hùn wéi yī tán): To lump together; to confuse two different things as being the same, often with a negative connotation of causing confusion.link
  • 一概而论 (yī gài ér lùn): To make a generalization or sweeping statement without considering individual differences.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 天壤之别 (tiān rǎng zhī bié): A world of difference; literally the difference between heaven and earth.
  • 大相径庭 (dà xiāng jìng tíng): Vastly different; poles apart; used when two things or opinions are completely contradictory.link
  • 截然不同 (jié rán bù tóng): Completely different; poles apart.link

6. Summary

相提并论 (xiāng tí bìng lùn) is an idiom used to describe putting two distinct subjects on equal footing for discussion. It is almost exclusively used in English-equivalent contexts like "cannot be mentioned in the same breath" to highlight a vast disparity in quality, status, or nature between two objects.