Definition
禁 (jīn, first tone) is a verb meaning 'to bear, endure, or be able to withstand' — e.g. 禁得起考验 ('can withstand a test') and 禁不起 ('cannot stand'). This reading is distinct from the more common jìn (fourth tone), which means 'to prohibit, ban, forbid' (as in 禁止). The source English list ('prohibit; arrest; taboo; royal residence; sorcery') actually describes the jìn reading, not jīn. Use caution: when the pinyin is jīn, the sense is about endurance, not prohibition.
v.
endurestanddurable
Examples
- 禁?Zhè zhǒng cáiliào jīn de zhù gāowēn ma?Can this material withstand high temperatures?
- ,。Tā jīn bú zhù yòuhuò, yòu mǎi le yí bù xīn shǒujī.He couldn't resist the temptation and bought another new phone.
- ,。Kàndào zhège xiàohua, wǒ bù jīn xiào le qǐlái.Seeing this joke, I couldn't help laughing.
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