Meanings of 不堪
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Podcast: 不堪
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AI study notes for 不堪
难忍 (nán rěn) means 'hard to endure' and is used similarly, but 不堪 emphasizes a stronger sense of being overwhelmed or unable to tolerate something.
Learners often confuse 不堪 with similar expressions like 受不了 (shòu bù liǎo), which means 'cannot endure'. 不堪 is more formal and has a stronger connotation of distress. Be careful with tone pronunciation; the first syllable is pronounced with a falling tone (bù) and the second with a level tone (kān).
As an HSK Level 6 word, 不堪 connects to themes of emotional expression and experiences. Students should focus on using it in complex sentences and understanding its nuances in different contexts, as it's often used in literature and formal discussions.
A common mistake is to use 不堪 in a light-hearted context, which can lead to misunderstandings. For example, saying '我不堪这个工作' (I cannot bear this job) when expressing mild dissatisfaction is incorrect; a more suitable phrase would be '我不喜欢这个工作'.
Pronunciation of 不堪
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Component characters
How to say cannot bear in Chinese
“cannot bear” in Chinese is不堪
不堪 (bù kān) means 'cannot bear' or 'cannot stand', often used to express an extreme reaction to something unpleasant or intolerable. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to convey feelings of discomfort or distress, especially in formal contexts.
When to use 不堪
Learners often confuse 不堪 with similar expressions like 受不了 (shòu bù liǎo), which means 'cannot endure'. 不堪 is more formal and has a stronger connotation of distress. Be careful with tone pronunciation; the first syllable is pronounced with a falling tone (bù) and the second with a level tone (kān).
不堪 or something close to it
难忍 (nán rěn) means 'hard to endure' and is used similarly, but 不堪 emphasizes a stronger sense of being overwhelmed or unable to tolerate something.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is to use 不堪 in a light-hearted context, which can lead to misunderstandings. For example, saying '我不堪这个工作' (I cannot bear this job) when expressing mild dissatisfaction is incorrect; a more suitable phrase would be '我不喜欢这个工作'.
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Grammar patterns of 不堪
不堪 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
定期航班的数量正让空中交通指挥系统____重负。
The volume of scheduled flights is straining the air traffic control system.
Example sentences for 不堪 (10)
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Frequently asked questions about 不堪
Yes, but it is more appropriate in formal contexts or when discussing serious topics.
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