禁不住

• Pinyin: jīn bu zhù
• Hanzi breakdown: 禁 = 林 + 示 — to prohibit, to endure; 不 = negative particle; 住 = 亻+ 主 — to stop, to hold

Meaning

Cannot help but; cannot resist; unable to bear. Expressing inability to control an urge or withstand something.

Has two main uses: expressing inability to control an emotional or physical reaction (laughing, crying), or expressing inability to withstand pressure or examination. Interchangeable with 忍不住 in the first sense, but 禁不住 is slightly more formal.

Examples

1. 听到那个笑话，她禁不住笑出了声。 Hearing that joke, she couldn't help but laugh out loud.
2. 这种廉价的材料禁不住长期使用，很快就会损坏。 This cheap material cannot withstand long-term use and will soon be damaged.
3. 他禁不住朋友的再三劝说，最终还是答应参加聚会。 He couldn't resist his friends' repeated persuasion and finally agreed to attend the party.

Usage Guide

Context: emotions, durability, persuasion

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我禁不住笑了起来。(I couldn't help but laugh.)
• 这把椅子禁不住重压。(This chair cannot withstand heavy weight.)

Don't Say

• 在口语中总用'禁不住'代替'忍不住' (Don't always use 禁不住 instead of 忍不住 in casual speech — 忍不住 is more colloquial for emotional reactions)

Origin & History

Composed of 禁 (to endure; to prohibit) + 不住 (not able to hold). Together meaning unable to restrain or withstand.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal