Definition
忍不住 is a fixed verb-complement phrase formed from 忍 (to endure) and 不住 (cannot stop/contain). It conveys that one's ability to tolerate has reached its limit — either you can no longer stand a situation, or you cannot resist doing something. It is often followed by the action verb you cannot help doing, or used alone as a predicate.
r.v.
can't bearcan't stand (a situation or feeling)can't help (doing something)cannot resist (doing something)
Examples
- 忍不住。Zhè zhǒng zàoyīn wǒ shízài rěn bu zhù le.I really can't stand this kind of noise anymore.
- ，忍不住。Kàn dào nà ge xiàohua, tā rěn bu zhù xiào le qǐlái.After hearing that joke, he couldn't help but laugh.
- 忍不住。Tā rěn bu zhù shuō chū le zìjǐ de zhēnshí xiǎngfǎ.She couldn't help blurting out her true thoughts.
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