can't withstand; can't help
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
can't withstand; be unable to bear
Refers to a lack of physical or mental capacity to endure something. Often interchangeable with '经不起' (jīng bu qǐ), but '禁不住' can feel slightly more passive.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
zhí植
wù物
jīn禁
bu不
zhù住
shuāng霜
dòng冻
，
yī一
dào到
dōng冬
tiān天
jiù就
sǐ死
le了
。
This kind of plant can't withstand frost; it dies as soon as winter comes.
Nǐ你
zěn怎
me么
zhè这
yàng样
jīn禁
bu不
zhù住
pī批
píng评
？
Shuō说
liǎng两
jù句
jiù就
shēng生
qì气
le了
。
How come you can't take criticism? You get angry after just a few words.
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Zhè这
zuò座
lǎo老
qiáo桥
jīn禁
bu不
zhù住
zhòng重
xíng型
kǎ卡
chē车
de的
zhòng重
liàng量
。
This old bridge can't bear the weight of heavy trucks.
verb
can't help (doing something); can't hold back
Describes an involuntary physical or emotional reaction. Often precedes a verb phrase.
Tīng听
le了
nà那
ge个
xiào笑
hua话
，
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
jīn禁
bu不
zhù住
xiào笑
le了
qǐ起
lái来
。
After hearing that joke, everyone couldn't help but laugh.
Kàn看
dào到
gǎn感
rén人
chǎng场
jǐng景
，
guān观
zhòng众
jīn禁
bu不
zhù住
liú流
xià下
le了
yǎn眼
lèi泪
。
Seeing the moving scene, the audience couldn't hold back their tears.
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Wén闻
dào到
xiāng香
wèi味
，
tā他
jīn禁
bu不
zhù住
zǒu走
le了
guò过
qù去
。
Smelling the fragrance, he couldn't help but walk over.