Usage of 忍不住
The phrase 忍不住 (rěn bu zhù) is commonly used to express an inability to restrain oneself from doing something, often an emotional or involuntary reaction. It literally means "cannot endure" or "cannot hold back."
Common contexts
It is frequently used when someone cannot hold back feelings such as laughter, tears, or impulses to speak or act. For example, 忍不住笑 means "cannot help laughing," and 忍不住哭 means "cannot help crying."
Collocations and patterns
- 忍不住 + verb: Indicates an uncontrollable urge to do the verb action.
- 忍不住 + 想/说/笑/哭: Common verbs following 忍不住 to express emotional reactions.
Nuance and register
This phrase is informal and widely used in spoken and written Chinese to convey spontaneous emotional responses. It often implies a sudden loss of self-control due to strong feelings.
Common confusion
Do not confuse 忍不住 with 不忍, which means "cannot bear (to do something)" but is often used in a more deliberate or compassionate context rather than spontaneous reactions.