Chinese word

不免

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù miǎn

Meaning

  • adverbinevitably

Example

这种错误在新手中不免发生。zhè zhǒng cuò wù zài xīn shǒu zhōng bù miǎn fā shēng

Such mistakes inevitably occur among beginners.

Illustration for 不免 (inevitably)

More examples

听到这个消息，他不免愣住了。tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xī tā bù miǎn lèng zhù le

When he heard the news, he could not help but freeze.

Core concept

Something happens or a feeling appears because avoiding it is not possible, often despite a wish to avoid it.

Common phrases

  • 不免出现问题bù miǎn chū xiàn wèn tí

    inevitably run into problems

  • 不免愣住bù miǎn lèng zhù

    cannot help but freeze

  • 不免感到为难bù miǎn gǎn dào wéi nán

    cannot help but feel troubled

Similar words

难免nán miǎn: Indicates that something is bound to happen because avoiding it is difficult.
不由得bù yóu de: Expresses an involuntary feeling or reaction that cannot be held back.
免不了miǎn bù liǎo: Indicates that something must happen because there is no way to avoid it.

Definition in Chinese

用于表示事情或情绪难以避免地发生，常带有无奈或消极色彩，通常作状语使用。yòng yú biǎo shì shì qíng huò qíng xù nán yǐ bì miǎn dì fā shēng cháng dài yǒu wú nài huò xiāo jí sè cǎi tōng cháng zuò zhuàng yǔ shǐ yòng

Word origin

不 (bù, "not") + 免 (miǎn, "avoid or escape") literally presents something as not avoidable, which gives the word its sense of an unavoidable result.

Usage tips

  • This adverb appears in both speech and writing, but in casual conversation a simpler phrase may sound more natural when the resigned tone is not important.

Other meanings

  • cannot help butadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word