Chinese word

不禁

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù jīn

Meaning

  • adverbcan't help but

Example

看到那个笑话，我不禁笑了。kàn dào nà ge xiào huà wǒ bù jīn xiào le

Seeing that joke, I couldn't help laughing.

Illustration for 不禁 (can't help but)

More examples

看到毕业典礼的照片，她不禁流泪。kàn dào bì yè dián lǐ de zhào piān tā bù jīn liú lèi

Seeing photos of the graduation ceremony, she couldn't help crying.

Core concept

A feeling or action rises on its own before the person can keep it in check.

Common phrases

  • 不禁笑了bù jīn xiào le

    can't help laughing

  • 不禁流泪bù jīn liú lèi

    can't help crying

  • 不禁感叹bù jīn gǎn tàn

    can't help marveling

Similar words

忍不住rěn bú zhù: Being unable to contain an urge leads to an unplanned action or response.
不由得bù yóu de: A situation causes an unplanned feeling or action beyond a person's control.
情不自禁qíng bú zì jīn: Overwhelming emotion naturally produces an outward response, often laughter or tears.

Definition in Chinese

用来说明在某种情境下人忍不住做出某事或产生某种感觉，侧重描写不受控制的自然反应并偏向书面语。yòng lái shuō míng zài móu zhǒng qíng jìng xià rén rěn bú zhù zuò chū mǒu shì huò chǎn shēng móu zhǒng gǎn jué cè zhòng miáo xiě bú shòu kòng zhì de zì rán fǎn yìng bìng piān xiàng shū miàn yǔ

Word origin

不 (bù, "not") + 禁 (jīn, "restrain") literally marks something as beyond restraint, which developed into this adverbial use for involuntary reactions.

Usage tips

  • Its slightly formal tone fits descriptions and storytelling better than relaxed daily chat, where simpler wording is usually more natural.

Other meanings

  • without meaning toadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word