买不起

買不起

mǎibuqǐ

verb HSK 7-9 #16,283

Meanings

1 cannot afford to buy

Characters

A verb + potential complement structure. 不起 indicates inability due to cost. The opposite is 买得起 (mǎi de qǐ, can afford).

Examples

房价太高了，很多人买不起。

Fángjià tài gāo le, hěnduō rén mǎibuqǐ.

Housing prices are too high, many people can't afford to buy.

这个包太贵了，我买不起。

Zhège bāo tài guì le, wǒ mǎibuqǐ.

This bag is too expensive, I can't afford it.

Tips

grammar

The 不起 complement works with many verbs beyond 买: 吃不起 (can't afford to eat), 住不起 (can't afford to live somewhere), 看不起 (to look down on — different meaning!). Note: 看不起 is an exception where 不起 means 'despise' rather than 'can't afford.'

Stroke Order

买 mǎi

不 bù

起 qǐ