cannot contain one's emotions; cannot help but
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesidiom
cannot help doing something; unable to control one's emotions
neutralUsed to describe a spontaneous, involuntary emotional reaction or impulse. Often implies a strong positive feeling like joy, excitement, or admiration, but can also be used for sadness or other emotions.
Tīng听
dào到
zhè这
ge个
hǎo好
xiāo消
xi息
，
tā他
qíng情
bù不
zì自
jīn禁
de地
tiào跳
le了
qǐ起
lái来
。
Upon hearing the good news, he couldn't help but jump for joy.
Kàn看
zhe着
hái孩
zi子
tiān天
zhēn真
de的
biǎo表
yǎn演
，
guān观
zhòng众
men们
qíng情
bù不
zì自
jīn禁
de地
gǔ鼓
qǐ起
zhǎng掌
lái来
。
Watching the child's innocent performance, the audience couldn't help but start applauding.
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Dú读
dào到
nà那
fēng封
gǎn感
rén人
de的
xìn信
，
tā她
qíng情
bù不
zì自
jīn禁
de地
liú流
xià下
le了
yǎn眼
lèi泪
。
When she read the touching letter, she couldn't hold back her tears.
Kàn看
dào到
mǎn满
yuán园
de的
xiān鲜
huā花
，
tā她
qíng情
bù不
zì自
jīn禁
de地
chàng唱
qǐ起
gē歌
lái来
。
Seeing the garden full of flowers, she couldn't help but start singing.
Lǎo老
péng朋
you友
jiǔ久
bié别
chóng重
féng逢
，
liǎng两
rén人
dōu都
qíng情
bù不
zì自
jīn禁
de地
yōng拥
bào抱
zài在
yī一
qǐ起
。
Meeting again after a long separation, the two old friends couldn't help but hug each other.