不能自主

bùnéngzìzhǔ

phrase

Meanings

1 unable to act on one's own will
2 not one's own master
3 having no say in one's own affairs

Characters

decide / master

Examples

他的婚事不能自主，全由父母决定。

Tā de hūnshì bù néng zìzhǔ, quán yóu fùmǔ juédìng.

He had no say in his own marriage; his parents decided everything.

病后他身体不能自主。

Bìng hòu tā shēntǐ bù néng zìzhǔ.

After his illness he couldn't control his own body.

Tips

usage

Covers both social autonomy (decisions made for you) and physical control (body/limbs failing). Related chengyu: 身不由己 (at the mercy of circumstances).

Stroke Order

不 bù

能 néng

自 zì

主 zhǔ