Definition
爱莫能助 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'willing but unable to help'. It's used when you genuinely want to assist someone but lack the ability, resources, or authority to do so. The tone is sympathetic rather than dismissive. It often appears in response to a request for help that you can't fulfill.
idiom
willing but unable to helpsympathetic inability to assist
Examples
- ，爱莫能助。Wǒ yě xiǎng bāng nǐ, dàn shízài shì ài mò néng zhù.I'd like to help you too, but I really can't.
- 爱莫能助，。Zhè jiàn shì wǒ ài mò néng zhù, nǐ háishì zhǎo biérén ba.I'm willing but unable to help with this matter — you'd better ask someone else.
- 爱莫能助，。Kàndào nǐ yǒu kùnnan wǒ què ài mò néng zhù, xīnli hěn nánguò.Seeing you in trouble but being unable to help makes me very sad.
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