欲罢不能
yù bà bù néng
cannot stop even if one wants to; hooked
Character by character
欲yù
wish
wish
罢bà
stop
stop
不bù
not
not
能néng
able
able
Example
这部电视剧越看越好看，我一集接一集，简直欲罢不能。
The series gets better and better; I watch episode after episode and simply cannot stop.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
From 《论语·子罕》: 颜渊 says that, taught by Confucius, he wanted to stop studying but could not (欲罢不能). Today it is for anything addictive, from TV series to snacks, often with a wry smile.
Learn this in Lesson 14 · HSK 5: 来一杯奶茶 (Ordering a milk tea)
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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