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Verb 也 Verb 不了 / 不动

HSK 5
  • Complements

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Verb也Verb不了 / 不动

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

Expresses that despite trying, one is still unable to carry out a certain action; emphasizes helplessness or inability.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

This structure emphasizes helplessness — no matter how much one wants to or tries, something simply cannot be done. It conveys a sense of being "stuck" or "hopeless."

  • V也V不了 (bù liǎo) carries the general meaning of "unable to manage/accomplish" due to circumstances, rules, or lack of ability.
  • V也V不动 (bú dòng) is typically used for physical actions, meaning "unable to move/do" because something is too heavy, one is too tired, or is stuck.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 这个箱子太重，我搬也搬不动。
    繁: 這個箱子太重，我搬也搬不動。Zhège xiāngzi tài zhòng, wǒ bān yě bān bú dòng.

    This suitcase is too heavy; I can't move it no matter how hard I try.

  2. 我今天太累了，走也走不动。
    繁: 我今天太累了，走也走不動。Wǒ jīntiān tài lèi le, zǒu yě zǒu bú dòng.

    I'm too exhausted today to even walk.

  3. 老板没走，我们想走也走不了。
    繁: 老闆沒走，我們想走也走不了。Lǎobǎn méi zǒu, wǒmen xiǎng zǒu yě zǒu bù liǎo.

    The boss hasn't left, so we can't leave even if we want to.

  4. 这么多作业，我写也写不了。
    繁: 這麼多作業，我寫也寫不了。Zhème duō zuòyè, wǒ xiě yě xiě bù liǎo.

    There is so much homework that I cannot possibly finish writing it all.

  5. 这件衣服太贵，我买也买不了。
    繁: 這件衣服太貴，我買也買不了。Zhè jiàn yīfu tài guì, wǒ mǎi yě mǎi bù liǎo.

    This outfit is too expensive; I cannot afford to buy it.

Verb 也 Verb 不了 / 不动 | Grammar HSK 5 | KoiSpeak