不已 bùyǐ endlessly
(used after a verb) endlessly; incessantly
How to remember 不已: 不 not + 已 already = endlessly.
Characters
How it is used
- Placed after a verb to mean the action goes on and on, uncontrollably - 激动不已 (jīdòng bùyǐ) endlessly excited; 感慨不已 (gǎnkǎi bùyǐ) deeply and lastingly moved.
- Written/literary; pairs mostly with emotion verbs (赞叹, 后悔, 兴奋).
- 已 here means 'to stop', so 不已 literally = 'without stopping'; it is a bound suffix, not used alone.
Example sentences
- 发现了远处的灯光的旅行者欢喜不已。 Fāxiàn le yuǎnchù de dēngguāng de lǚxíngzhě huānxǐ bùyǐ.The traveler was delighted at the sight of a light in the distance.
- 汤姆兴奋不已。 Tāngmǔ xīngfènbùyǐ.Tom's thrilled.