叵 (pǒ) — (bound form) cannot, impossible (used in literary compounds)
Definition
A literary bound form meaning 'cannot, impossible' (negation of 可). Almost never stands alone — it appears inside fixed compounds like 叵测 ('unfathomable') and 叵料 ('unpredictable').
bound form
cannotimpossible (used in literary compounds)
Easily confused
- 匡kuānglook-alike(bound form) to correct or rectify (an error)
- 匝zālook-alike(bound form) to go around, to circle
- 匪fěilook-alike(bound form) bandit, robber, brigand
- 匹pǐlook-alike(classifier) for horses, mules, and other equine animals
- 医yīlook-alike(bound form) medical; medicine; to cure
- 区qūlook-alikearea, region, district
Examples
- 叵，。Tā de dòng jī pǒ cè, yào xiǎo xīn.His motives are unfathomable — be careful.
- ，。Cǐ rén jū xīn pǒ cè, bù kě xìn rèn.This person has unfathomable intentions and cannot be trusted.
- 叵。Zhè ge jì huà jié guǒ pǒ liào.The outcome of this plan is unpredictable.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.