Chinese word

吃不消

Pronunciation

Pinyinchī bù xiāo

Meaning

  • verbcan't take it

Example

这段时间太累，我有点吃不消。zhè duàn shí jiān tài lèi wǒ yóu diǎn chī bù xiāo

I've been so tired lately that I can barely take it.

Illustration for 吃不消 (can't take it)

More examples

夏天这么热，我真吃不消。xià tiān zhè me rè wǒ zhēn chī bù xiāo

Summer is so hot that I really can't take it.

Core concept

A burden or demand reaches the point where a person can no longer keep carrying it.

Common phrases

  • 有点吃不消yóu diǎn chī bù xiāo

    find it a little hard to take

  • 真吃不消zhēn chī bù xiāo

    just can't take it

  • 忙得吃不消máng de chī bù xiāo

    too busy to cope

Similar words

受不了shòu bù liǎo: Unable to tolerate something that causes too much physical or mental strain.
撑不住chēng bú zhù: Unable to keep going because available strength or time has run out.

Definition in Chinese

没有力气或精力继续应付某事，表示无法坚持或承受，属于常用口语。méi yǒu lì qì huò jīng lì jì xù yìng fù mǒu shì biǎo shì wú fǎ jiān chí huò chéng shòu shǔ yú cháng yòng kóu yǔ

Word origin

吃 (chī, "take or endure") + 不 (bù, "not") + 消 (xiāo, "be absorbed") presents something that a person cannot take in or withstand.

Usage tips

  • Chinese uses this everyday verb for physical strain as well as heavy workloads, long hours, heat, or repeated demands, so it applies far beyond emotional distress.

Other meanings

  • unbearableadjective

Opposites

  • 受得了shòu de lecan stand itverb
  • 应付得来yìng fù de láican deal with itverb

Word lists with this word