HSK 7
不由得
bù yóu de
不由得 (bù yóu de)
Explanation
不由得 (bù yóu de) is an adverb (a word that modifies a verb) meaning "involuntarily, cannot help but," describing an emotion or action that breaks out naturally and beyond one's control, usually prompted by an external scene or situation.
(the triggering cause) + subject (the person/thing acting) + 不由得 + verb/verb phrase.
when you want to describe a spontaneous inner reaction (shedding tears, bursting into laughter, sighing, recalling...) in response to some stimulus; usable in both spoken and written language.
不由得 emphasizes the inability to restrain an emotion/action; 不禁 (bùjīn, cannot help but) is very close in meaning and can be interchanged, but 不由得 has an additional meaning of "to make (someone) unable not to" when it precedes a clause.
using it for intentional, planned actions (wrong, since 不由得 is only for spontaneous reactions); forgetting to state the triggering cause beforehand, which leaves the sentence without context.
Examples
Looking at my father's calloused hands, I could not help but shed tears.
Looking at the graduation photo, I could not help but begin to recall the past.
Practice
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Learn “不由得” effectively
The grammar point “不由得” (不由得 (bù yóu de)) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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