Definition
不已 (bù yǐ) is a classical-rooted verb used after an adjective to express that a state is so overwhelming it 'cannot stop' — e.g. 感动不已 'moved beyond words'. Unlike 不断 (continuously, as an adverb) or 不止 (also 'not stop' but plus 'more than'), 不已 always follows the adjective and carries a literary, deeply emotional tone.
verb
cannot stopendlesslyincessantly
Easily confused
- 而已ér yǐlook-alike(particle) nothing more, that's all; used at the end of a sentence to indicate minimal extent or significance
- 不宜bù yísound-alikenot suitable; inadvisable; inappropriate
Examples
- ，不已。Kàn wán zhè bù diànyǐng, guānzhòngmen gǎndòng bù yǐ.After watching this movie, the audience was deeply moved.
- ，不已。Tīng dào zhège xiāoxi, tā xīngfèn bù yǐ.Hearing this news, he was so excited he couldn't calm down.
- ，不已。Huíyì qǐ wǎngshì, tā tòngkǔ bù yǐ.Recalling the past, she was in endless pain.
Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.