美不胜收
měi bù shèng shōu
so many beautiful things you cannot take them all in
Character by character
美měi
beauty
beauty
不bù
not
not
胜shèng
able to
able to
收shōu
take in
take in
Example
九寨沟的秋天五颜六色，美不胜收。
Jiuzhaigou in autumn is a riot of colour, more beauty than you can take in.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
胜 here means “to be able to bear”, read shèng. Used for scenery, exhibitions, displays of food.
Learn this in Lesson 9 · HSK 5: 山河与名胜 (Mountains, rivers and landmarks)
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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