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

not (potential infix)

to rise; (verbal complement)

Examples

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.

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.

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