Definition
吃不消 is a potential complement phrase meaning 'can't bear, can't stand (fatigue, heat, workload, etc.)'. The verb 吃 literally means 'eat' but here acts as a dummy verb. The pattern is 吃 + 不 + 消, where 消 means 'to dissipate'. You can use it descriptively (热得吃不消 'so hot it's unbearable') or as a standalone predicate (我吃不消 'I can't take it').
r.v.
to be unable to bearcan't standfind too much to handle
Examples
- ，吃不消。Zhège gōngzuò tài lèi, wǒ chī bu xiāo.This work is too tiring, I can't bear it.
- ，吃不消。Tā měitiān zhǐ shuì sì gè xiǎoshí, shēntǐ chī bu xiāo.He only sleeps four hours a day, and his body can't stand it.
- ，吃不消。Zǒu zhème duō lù, wǒ zhēn de chī bu xiāo le.Walking so far, I really can't take it anymore.
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