不得了

• 拼音: bù dé liǎo
• 汉字拆解: 不 (not) + 得 (obtain, can) + 了 (finish, complete)

含义

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.

例句

1. 她听到这个消息高兴得不得了，当场就跳了起来。
2. 这件事要是被老板知道了，那可不得了。
3. 孩子们饿得不得了，一到家就冲进厨房找吃的。

用法指南

语境: everyday, emotional expression, spoken

语气: emphatic

正确说法

• 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!)

错误说法

• 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)

起源与历史

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

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal