不得了

• Pinyin: bù dé liǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 (not) + 得 (obtain, can) + 了 (finish, complete)

Meaning

Extremely; terribly; awfully. Used to express an extreme degree, either positive or negative.

Can function as a complement after adjectives or verbs to emphasize intensity, or as a predicate meaning 'serious' or 'terrible.' Common in spoken Chinese to express strong emotions or situations that are out of control. Often used with 得 as in 高兴得不得了.

Examples

1. 她听到这个消息高兴得不得了，当场就跳了起来。 She was so happy when she heard the news that she jumped up on the spot.
2. 这件事要是被老板知道了，那可不得了。 If the boss finds out about this, it'll be serious trouble.
3. 孩子们饿得不得了，一到家就冲进厨房找吃的。 The kids were extremely hungry and rushed into the kitchen looking for food as soon as they got home.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, emotional expression, spoken

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 累得不得了，我想休息一下。(I'm extremely tired, I want to rest.)
• 这道菜好吃得不得了！(This dish is incredibly delicious!)

Don't Say

• 在正式书面语中频繁使用'不得了' (Don't use 不得了 frequently in formal writing — it's colloquial; use 非常, 极其 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 不 (not) + 得 (can) + 了 (finish/complete), literally meaning 'cannot be finished/handled,' hence implying something extreme.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal