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没法儿 (méi fǎ r) — can't (colloquial, indicating there is no way or method to do something)

Definition

没法儿 (méi fǎr) is the casual spoken form meaning 'can't / there's no way' — softer and more colloquial than 无法 ('unable', neutral). Not used for rules or permission (use 不许 for 'not allowed').

verb
can't (colloquial, indicating there is no way or method to do something)

Examples

  • 没法儿。
    Zhè ge wèn tí méi fǎ r jiě jué.
    This problem can't be solved.
  • ，没法儿。
    Shí jiān tài shǎo, wǒ méi fǎ r àn shí wán chéng.
    There is too little time, I can't finish on time.
  • 没法儿。
    Tā méi fǎ r yí gè rén zuò wán suǒ yǒu de gōng zuò.
    He can't finish all the work alone.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

没法no way
没méinot have法fǎway
动宾Verb + object
儿érr-sound

没 not have and 法 way combine to mean no way; 儿 gives the colloquial pronunciation.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 沒; 没 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
𠬛
𠬛𠬛沒mò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 沒 pairs 水 (water) with 𠬛 as a sound part; this note is about 沒, not the simplified 没.

Open 没 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
廌廌zhìa type of antelope or caprid
Sound part声符shēngfú
盍
盍hé法fǎ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

法's older form combined 氵 (water) and 廌 (a type of antelope or caprid), with 盍 as a sound part; later 廌 was dropped.

Open 法 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape 儿 is a simple drawing of a standing person, used as an alternate form of the character for person.

Open 儿 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5

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