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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing inability to contain with 不住 (búzhù)

    Negation
    Permission & Ability

    Structure

    Verb + 不住

    Explanation

    The complement 不住 (búzhù) is placed after a verb to indicate that one cannot hold back or contain an action or emotion. It expresses the idea that despite trying to restrain oneself, the action happens involuntarily, as in 忍不住 (can't help but) or 拿不住 (can't hold onto).

    Examples

    • 听到那个笑话，我忍不住笑了出来。

      tīng dào nàge xiàohua, wǒ rěn bù zhù xiào le chūlái.

      When I heard that joke, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

    • 箱子太滑了，她拿不住，掉在了地上。

      xiāngzi tài huá le, tā ná bù zhù, diào zài le dì shàng.

      The box was too slippery — she couldn't hold it, and it fell to the ground.

    • 看到那个消息，他控制不住自己的眼泪。

      kàn dào nàge xiāoxi, tā kòngzhì bù zhù zìjǐ de yǎnlèi.

      When he saw that message, he couldn't control his tears.

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