不免

• Pinyin: bù miǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 (not) + 免 (avoid, exempt)

Meaning

Inevitably; unavoidably. Indicates something is bound to happen.

Used to express that something cannot be avoided given the circumstances. Often followed by verbs or adjectives expressing feelings or results. More literary than 难免 but similar in meaning.

Examples

1. 第一次见家长，她不免有些紧张。 Meeting her partner's parents for the first time, she was inevitably a bit nervous.
2. 独自一人在异乡过年，不免会想家。 Spending the New Year alone in a foreign place, one inevitably misses home.
3. 公司刚起步，不免会遇到各种困难。 The company is just starting out, so it's inevitable to encounter various difficulties.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, narrative, analysis

Tone: reflective

Do Say

• 听到这个消息，他不免有些失望。(Hearing this news, he was inevitably a bit disappointed.)
• 面对困难，不免会感到压力。(Facing difficulties, one inevitably feels pressure.)

Don't Say

• 用'不免'后接好事——'不免'通常用于负面或中性情况 (Don't use 不免 before positive outcomes — it's typically for negative or neutral situations)

Origin & History

Compound of 不 (not) + 免 (avoid), meaning 'cannot avoid' or 'inevitably.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal