Meanings of 不堪
By ear
Play it, then pick what 不堪 means.
About 不堪
Podcast: 不堪
Podcast: 不堪
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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
Drill the tone of 不堪 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 不堪 to You
Let me explain 不堪 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 不堪 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 不堪?
Learning Lab
Knowing 不堪 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
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'.
Write 不堪
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 不堪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Fill the gap
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)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 不堪?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 不堪
Yes, but it is more appropriate in formal contexts or when discussing serious topics.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 不堪?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.