经不起 (jīng bù qǐ) — cannot withstand, cannot endure

Definition

A negative result verb meaning 'cannot withstand or endure' (a material, body, or argument). Contrast with 经得起 ('can withstand') — same pattern, opposite polarity.

verb
cannot withstandcannot endure

Examples

  • 经不起。
    Tā de shēn tǐ jīng bù qǐ cháng tú bá shè.
    His body can't withstand a long, arduous journey.
  • 经不起。
    Zhè zhǒng cái liào jīng bù qǐ gāo wēn.
    This material can't withstand high temperatures.
  • 经不起。
    Tā de guān diǎn jīng bù qǐ tuī qiāo.
    His opinions cannot withstand scrutiny.

Origin

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 經; 经 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mìsilk; thread
Sound part声符shēngfú
巠
巠jīng經jīng
Same sound today

The traditional form 經 combines 糹 (silk; thread) with 巠, which gives the sound.

Open 经 →

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

The picture in 不 originally showed a flower’s calyx; the “no” sense came later from a related character, not from this picture.

Open 不 →

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
走走zǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
巳
巳sì起qǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

起 is made from 走 and 巳: 走 is the part connected with walking or running, and 巳 gives the sound.

Open 起 →

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