Definition
不能自己 is a fixed phrase meaning 'cannot control oneself' or 'involuntarily'. It is often used as an adverb modifying a verb, indicating that an action is done without conscious control. Literally 'cannot self', but the meaning is idiomatic. Note: the source pinyin is incomplete and incorrect; the standard pronunciation is bù néng zì jǐ.
v
cannot help oneselfinvoluntarilycan't control one's own actions
Examples
- ，不能自己。Tā tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, bú de kū le qǐlái.He heard the news and couldn't help crying.
- ，不能自己。Kàndào nà gǎnrén de diànyǐng, wǒ bú liú xià le yǎnlèi.Seeing that touching movie, I involuntarily shed tears.
- 不能自己，。Tā bú de xiào le qǐlái, bǎ dàjiā dōu dòu lè le.She couldn't help laughing, and everyone was amused.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.