买不起

買不起

mǎibuqǐ

verb HSK 7-9 #16,283

Meanings

1 cannot afford to buy

Characters

not (potential complement marker)

to bear; afford

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

Examples

HSK 1

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.

HSK 6

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.

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