忍不住

rěn bu zhù

HSK 2.0 Level 5 Common

Definitions

1. cannot help
2. unable to bear

Word relationships

Synonyms

2 items

• 不由得 bù yóu de 不由得 bù yóu de can't help 表示无法控制自己去做某事: can't help
• 不禁 bù jīn 不禁 bù jīn can't help (doing sth) 书面语，常用于情绪流露: can't help (doing sth)

Usage notes

Collocations

后面常接动词或动词短语，表示不由自主地做某事，如“忍不住笑了”。

Common mistakes

口语中“忍不住”本身多含“终于控制不住”的意思，不能简单对应为“can't bear”，后者常用“受不了”。

Example Sentences

2 shown

寒风刺骨，他 忍不住 打了个哆嗦。

The cold wind was bone-chilling, and he couldn't help but shiver.

看到这幅画，他 忍不住 赞叹起来。

Seeing this painting, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 忍不住

• 不 不 bù: no; not so
• 忍 忍 rěn: to bear
• 不住 不住 bù zhù: (verb complement) unable to firmly or securely (grasp, recall etc)
• 住 住 zhù: to live