起
Pattern
Verb + 得起 / 不起
Key words
Core idea
得起 and 不起 show whether someone can afford, bear, or live up to something.
The pattern follows the verb:
verb + 得起 / 不起More than money
This complement often appears with buying or living somewhere, but it can also describe whether someone can accept, bear, or deserve something.
Compare with ability
A modal such as “can” states ability broadly. This complement focuses on whether the action is sustainable or bearable in the situation.
Examples
这件衣服太贵，我买不起。
Zhè jiàn yīfu tài guì, wǒ mǎi bù qǐ.
This piece of clothing is too expensive; I cannot afford it.
这么贵的房子，我们住不起。
Zhème guì de fángzi, wǒmen zhù bù qǐ.
We cannot afford to live in such an expensive house.
这份礼物太贵，我收不起。
Zhè fèn lǐwù tài guì, wǒ shōu bù qǐ.
This gift is too expensive; I cannot accept it.
Common mistakes
Avoid
我不买起这件衣服。
Use
这件衣服我买不起。
不起 follows the verb as a potential complement.
Seen in stories
The Cheapest Winning Idea
小白的队伍买不起新材料，只带来旧纸箱和废木板。
Xiao Bai's team cannot afford new materials, so they only bring old boxes and scrap boards.
The Cheapest Winning Idea
评委问他们是不是准备不够，小白说：“我们花不起钱，但花得起时间。”
A judge asks whether they are underprepared, and Xiao Bai says, “We cannot spend money, but we can spend time.”
The Cheapest Winning Idea
评委问他们是不是准备不够，小白说：“我们花不起钱，但花得起时间。”
A judge asks whether they are underprepared, and Xiao Bai says, “We cannot spend money, but we can spend time.”
The Cheapest Winning Idea
另一队的灯光模型很漂亮，可是普通班级用不起。
Another team's lighting model is beautiful, but ordinary classes cannot afford to use it.
The Cheapest Winning Idea
小白的方案不亮眼，却修得起，也换得起零件。
Xiao Bai's plan is not flashy, but it is affordable to repair and replace parts.
Show 8 more story examples
The Cheapest Winning Idea
小白的方案不亮眼，却修得起，也换得起零件。
Xiao Bai's plan is not flashy, but it is affordable to repair and replace parts.
The Cheapest Winning Idea
小白说，学校承担不起浪费，才应该选大家都用得起的东西。
Xiao Bai says the school cannot afford waste, so it should choose something everyone can afford to use.
The Cheapest Winning Idea
小白说，学校承担不起浪费，才应该选大家都用得起的东西。
Xiao Bai says the school cannot afford waste, so it should choose something everyone can afford to use.
The Snack We Could Still Afford
阿哲说，这么有名的牛肉面我们一定吃不起。
A Zhe says they definitely cannot afford such famous beef noodles.
The Snack We Could Still Afford
她说，小碗豆花你们还买得起，先坐下来。
She says, “You can still afford a small bowl of tofu pudding, so sit down first.”
The Snack We Could Still Afford
他说，完整一份可能买不起，试吃一口总付得起吧。
He says, “You may not be able to afford a whole one, but surely you can pay for one tasting bite.”
The Snack We Could Still Afford
他说，完整一份可能买不起，试吃一口总付得起吧。
He says, “You may not be able to afford a whole one, but surely you can pay for one tasting bite.”
The Snack We Could Still Afford
最后，连原本吃不起的牛肉面店也送来一小碗汤。
In the end, even the beef noodle shop they originally could not afford sends over a small bowl of soup.