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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "unable to face" with 不起 (buqǐ)

    Negation
    Permission & Ability

    Structure

    Verb + 不起

    Explanation

    不起 (buqǐ) is a complement that conveys inability to face or afford something, most commonly seen in 对不起 (sorry, literally "cannot face"). It attaches after a verb to indicate that the action cannot be sustained or justified, as in 买不起 (cannot afford to buy).

    Examples

    • 这个包太贵了，我买不起。

      Zhège bāo tài guì le, wǒ mǎi bù qǐ.

      This bag is too expensive — I can't afford it.

    • 对不起，我迟到了。

      Duìbùqǐ, wǒ chídào le.

      I'm sorry, I'm late.

    • 这么好的机会，我可不能对不起自己。

      Zhème hǎo de jīhuì, wǒ kě bù néng duìbùqǐ zìjǐ.

      With such a great opportunity, I can't let myself down.

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    Expressing "unable to face" with 不起 (buqǐ) | Chinese Grammar