禁不起

jīnbuqǐ

verb #35,117

Meanings

1 to be unable to stand (a test, pressure, scrutiny, etc.)
2 cannot bear
3 cannot withstand

Characters

to bear; to endure

Examples

HSK 3

这把椅子禁不起这么重的压力。

Zhè bǎ yǐzi jīnbuqǐ zhème zhòng de yālì.

This chair can't bear that much weight.

HSK 7-9

他的说法禁不起仔细推敲。

Tā de shuōfǎ jīnbuqǐ zǐxì tuīqiāo.

His explanation can't stand up to careful scrutiny.

Tips

grammar

禁不起 is the negative potential complement of 禁 ('to bear, withstand') - note 禁 here is read jīn (1st tone), not jìn ('forbid'). Its positive counterpart 禁得起 means 'able to withstand'. Common collocations: 禁不起考验 (can't stand the test), 禁不起诱惑 (can't resist temptation).

Stroke Order

禁 jìn

不 bù

起 qǐ