碍于…
held back by (face, feelings, one’s position); out of regard for
Structure
碍于 面子／情面／身份 ， （主语） 不愿／不好／不便 ＋ 动作
What it means
Names the consideration (face, feelings, one’s position) that stops someone doing or saying what they otherwise would. 碍 means to obstruct.
How it is built
碍于 + 面子/情面/身份/关系 (or a short clause), + 不好意思/不便/不愿/没有/只好 + action: 碍于情面，他没有当场拒绝 (Not wanting to offend, he didn’t refuse on the spot).
When to use it
Writing and serious talk. The second clause is always a held-back or reluctant action. The object can also be 规定 or a short clause: 碍于老板在场.
Watch out
Not for an ordinary cause, and never for a good one: ✗碍于天气好，我们去爬山 ✓因为天气好，我们去爬山。
Examples
不少人碍于面子，宁可一个人偷偷担心，也不愿走进检测点。
Many are held back by shame: they would rather worry alone in secret than walk into a testing centre.
碍于情面，他没有当场拒绝老同学的请求。
Not wanting to offend, he did not turn down his old classmate’s request on the spot.
碍于身份，这位官员不便对此事公开表态。
Because of his position, the official cannot comment on the matter in public.
Learn this in Lesson 160 · HSK 7–9: 艾滋病：检测与偏见 (HIV: testing and prejudice)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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