不由得
bù yóu de
Can't help but; involuntarily
不由得 (bù yóu dé) — involuntarily, cannot help but
Subj. + 不由得 (bùyóude) + Verb / Adj.
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what不由得Action
Rule structure
不由得 (bùyóude) is a manner adverb: an action or feeling arises involuntarily, beyond the person's control. It normally precedes a verb or an adjective predicate. It often expresses an involuntary emotional reaction.
Rule structure
不由得 (bùyóude) is a manner adverb: an action or feeling arises involuntarily, beyond the person's control. It normally precedes a verb or an adjective predicate. It often expresses an involuntary emotional reaction.
Examples
听到这个消息，她不由得哭了。
Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, tā bùyóude kū le.
Hearing this news, she couldn't help but cry.
Examples
听到这个消息，她不由得哭了。
Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, tā bùyóude kū le.
Hearing this news, she couldn't help but cry.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “involuntarily, cannot help but” in Chinese with 不由得?
Use the structure: Subj. + 不由得 (bùyóude) + Verb / Adj.. For example: 听到这个消息，她不由得哭了。 — “Hearing this news, she couldn't help but cry”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
听到这个消息，她不由得哭了。 — “Hearing this news, she couldn't help but cry”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
向来 — always previously
Subj. + 向来 (xiànglái) + Verb / Adj.
偏 — contrary to expectations
Subj. + 偏偏 (piānpiān) + Verb (undesirable coincidence)
无非 — nothing but
无非 (wúfēi) + Noun / Clause (dismissive)
何必 — why bother
何必 (hébì) + Verb Phrase (rhetorical, unnecessary)
按理 — logically speaking
按理 (ànlǐ) / 按说 (ànshuō) + Clause (conclusion that clashes with the fact)
不妨 vs 务必 — advice vs requirement
不妨 (bùfáng) + Verb Phrase (soft suggestion) / 务必 (wùbì) + Verb Phrase (insistent requirement)
照常 — as usual
Subj. + 照常 (zhàocháng) / 照例 (zhàolì) / 照样 (zhàoyàng) + Verb
碰巧 / 恰巧 — coincidence
Subj. + 碰巧 (pèngqiǎo) / 恰巧 (qiàqiǎo) + Verb Phrase