afford to; not feel embarrassed
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to be able to spare (time or money); to afford to
Used when discussing whether one has sufficient resources, time, or money to spare for something.
Zuì最
jìn近
tài太
máng忙
le了
，
shí实
zài在
mò抹
de得
kāi开
shí时
jiān间
qù去
kàn看
diàn电
yǐng影
。
I've been too busy lately; I really can't spare the time to go to the movies.
Zhè这
bǐ笔
qián钱
shù数
mù目
bù不
xiǎo小
，
tā他
mò抹
de得
kāi开
ma吗
？
This is a considerable sum of money; can he afford to spend it?
verb
to not feel embarrassed or constrained; to be able to act naturally without reserve
Often used in questions or negative contexts about whether one can bring oneself to do something that might seem forward, embarrassing, or inconsiderate of others' feelings.
Dà大
jiā家
dōu都
shì是
lǎo老
péng朋
you友
le了
，
yǒu有
shén什
me么
huà话
mò抹
de得
kāi开
shuō说
。
We're all old friends, so you can speak freely without standing on ceremony.
Tā他
liǎn脸
nèn嫩
，
mò抹
de得
kāi开
qù去
qiú求
rén人
ma吗
？
He's shy; can he bring himself to go ask someone for help?
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Dāng当
miàn面
pī批
píng评
tā他
，
nǐ你
mò抹
de得
kāi开
ma吗
？
Can you bring yourself to criticize him to his face?