Definition
顾不了 is a resultative verb compound meaning 'cannot take care of' or 'have to disregard'. The 不了 (bùliǎo) complement indicates inability to complete the action of 顾 (to attend to, to look after). You use it when you're forced to ignore something because you don't have the time, energy, or resources to deal with it. It's often followed by the thing being neglected, or used standalone as an apology or excuse.
r.v.
cannot take care ofhave to disregardbe unable to attend to
Examples
- ,顾不了。Wǒ tài máng le, gù bú nàme duō shì le.I'm too busy — I can't take care of so many things.
- 顾不了,。Tā gù bú zìjǐ de jiànkāng, tiāntiān áoyè gōngzuò.He has to disregard his own health, staying up late working every day.
- ,顾不了,。Duìbuqǐ, gù bú nǐ le, wǒ děi xiān zǒu.Sorry, I can't look after you — I have to go first.
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