jan2 bat1 zyu6忍不住
Jyutpingjan2 bat1 zyu6
Yaleyán bāt jyuh
Definition
Unable to bear or tolerate; cannot help doing something.
- unable to bear or tolerate
- cannot help doing something; unable to resist the urge to
colloquialdaily actionsemotion
How it's used
Expresses a loss of self-control regarding an urge or emotion. It is frequently followed by a verb that describes the action one failed to suppress, such as 笑 or 買. Unlike formal written Chinese, it is almost always used in spoken contexts to explain why someone acted impulsively.
Examples
I really couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it to mean physically enduring pain, but it specifically refers to the inability to suppress an impulse or reaction. For physical endurance, use 忍受 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
