Chinese word

免不了

Pronunciation

Pinyinmiǎn bù liǎo

Meaning

  • adverbinevitably

Example

这么忙，免不了出错。zhè me máng miǎn bù liǎo chū cuò

When things are this busy, mistakes inevitably happen.

Illustration for 免不了 (inevitably)

More examples

这件事免不了引起争议。zhè jiàn shì miǎn bù liǎo yín qǐ zhēng yì

This matter will inevitably cause controversy.

Core concept

An unwanted result pushes through every available attempt to prevent it.

Common phrases

  • 免不了被发现miǎn bù liǎo bèi fā xiàn

    inevitably be discovered

  • 免不了引起争议miǎn bù liǎo yín qǐ zhēng yì

    inevitably cause controversy

Similar words

难免nán miǎn: Signals that an unpleasant result may easily happen and is difficult to prevent.
不免bù miǎn: Indicates that a result tends to arise naturally and is difficult to avoid.

Definition in Chinese

表示在现有情形下无法避免或难以阻止的事情会发生，语气偏向无可奈何，通常用于口语并放在动词前作副词用。biǎo shì zài xiàn yǒu qíng xíng xià wú fǎ bì miǎn huò nán yǐ zú zhǐ de shì qíng huì fā shēng yǔ qì piān xiàng wú kě nài hé tōng cháng yòng yú kóu yǔ bìng fàng zài dòng cí qián zuò fù cí yòng

Word origin

免不了 (miǎnbùliǎo, "cannot avoid") joins 免 (miǎn, "avoid") to 不了 (bùliǎo, "cannot manage to"), so the compound presents the result as something that cannot be kept away.

Usage tips

  • The word often carries a resigned tone in conversation, so it fits ordinary consequences of busy schedules or complicated tasks better than a formal statement of certainty.

Other meanings

  • can't help butadverb
  • have no choice but toadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word