HSK 4
受不了
shòubùliǎo
can't tolerate
Structure
Subject + 受不了 + (Object/Verb Phrase)
How it works
The phrase '受不了' is a potential complement used to indicate that someone cannot endure, tolerate, or bear a certain situation, feeling, or person. It implies that a physical or emotional limit has been reached. It can be used alone or followed by an object.
Examples
这里的夏天太热了，我真的受不了。
Zhèlǐ de xiàtiān tài rè le, wǒ zhēnde shòubùliǎo.
The summer here is too hot; I really can't stand it.
我受不了他在公共场合大声说话。
Wǒ shòubùliǎo tā zài gōnggòng chǎnghé dàshēng shuōhuà.
I can't stand him speaking loudly in public places.
工作压力太大了，让他感到受不了。
Gōngzuò yālì tài dà le, ràng tā gǎndào shòubùliǎo.
The work pressure is too great, making him feel unable to bear it.
Common mistakes
Do not confuse '受不了' with '不能受'; the potential complement form '受不了' is the standard way to express inability to endure.
Tip
The opposite of '受不了' is '受得了' (shòudeliǎo), meaning 'able to endure', though '受不了' is much more frequently used in daily conversation.
More HSK 4 grammar
See 受不了 in real Chinese
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