cannot; be unable to
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to be unable to; to be incapable of
literaryA classical Chinese literary term, often used to indicate personal inability or weakness preventing an action. Typically precedes another verb to form a compound predicate.
Tā他
shēn深
xiàn陷
kùn困
jìng境
，
bù不
kè克
zì自
bá拔
。
He is deeply mired in difficulties and unable to extricate himself.
Gōng公
wù务
chán缠
shēn身
，
bù不
kè克
fēn分
shēn身
cān参
jiā加
wǎn晚
yàn宴
。
Burdened with official duties, he is unable to spare the time to attend the banquet.
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Shēn身
tǐ体
chán孱
ruò弱
，
bù不
kè克
yuǎn远
xíng行
。
His body is frail and unfit for long journeys.
Yóu由
yú于
néng能
lì力
yǒu有
xiàn限
，
cǐ此
shì事
bù不
kè克
wán完
chéng成
。
Due to limited ability, this matter cannot be accomplished.