bat1 jau4 zi6 zyu2不由自主

Jyutpingbat1 jau4 zi6 zyu2

Yalebāt yàuh jih jyú

語句Common

Definition

To be unable to control or restrain oneself, or to feel an irresistible urge to do something.

neutralemotiondescriptions

How it's used

This idiom describes an involuntary reaction where your body or emotions take over despite your conscious attempt to stop them. It is often used in literary or slightly dramatic contexts to emphasize the intensity of an urge or a physical reflex. While it functions as a set phrase, it is frequently paired with 噉 to connect it to the action being performed.

Examples

gin3見dou2到keoi5佢gam3咁caam2慘，ngo5我dou1都bat1不jau4由zi6自zyu2主soeng2想bong1幫keoi5佢。

Seeing him in such a miserable state, I couldn't help but want to help him.

nei5你zou6做me1咩bat1不jau4由zi6自zyu2主gam3咁siu3笑aa4呀？

Why can't you stop yourself from laughing?

Common phrases

bat1不jau4由zi6自zyu2主gam2噉siu3笑

to laugh uncontrollably

bat1不jau4由zi6自zyu2主gam3咁zan3震

to shiver involuntarily

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use this for simple habits or voluntary choices. It should be reserved for situations where you feel a genuine loss of control, such as an uncontrollable laugh, a physical tremor, or an overwhelming emotional impulse.