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March 24, 2026
不惜bùxī(bu4xi1)
不惜 means to not spare or hesitate when taking action, often implying a willingness to sacrifice something in order to achieve a goal. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is making a significant effort or investment, indicating that they will not hold back despite potential costs or risks.
Frequency#4489DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of sacrifice for the greater good is highly valued, which is reflected in the word 不惜. This is often seen in stories of dedication to family, community, or country, highlighting the importance of selflessness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing at a cliff, ready to jump into a river below. The character 不 (bu) resembles a person standing still, while 惜 (xi) can be visualized as a heart being offered with open hands, symbolizing the willingness to risk it all for something greater. This imagery helps connect the concept of not hesitating with the character's form.
Meanings of 不惜
bùxī(bu4xi1)
1not stint
2not spare
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 不惜
不惜Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4489Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 不惜
Podcast: 不惜
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AI Study Notes for 不惜
Quick Contrast
不怕 (bùpà) — use 不惜 when emphasizing a willingness to sacrifice, while 不怕 focuses on a lack of fear.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person standing at a cliff, ready to jump into a river below. The character 不 (bu) resembles a person standing still, while 惜 (xi) can be visualized as a heart being offered with open hands, symbolizing the willingness to risk it all for something greater. This imagery helps connect the concept of not hesitating with the character's form.
Usage Notes
Be careful to use 不惜 in contexts where a significant effort or cost is implied, as it conveys a strong emotional commitment. It is often used in formal or literary language, so it may not be suitable for casual conversations. Common collocations include 不惜代价 (not spare any cost) and 不惜时间 (not hesitate to spend time).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 不惜 connects well with other advanced vocabulary that expresses determination or effort. Students should focus on understanding its nuances and how it can be used in both written and spoken Chinese, especially in persuasive or formal contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of sacrifice for the greater good is highly valued, which is reflected in the word 不惜. This is often seen in stories of dedication to family, community, or country, highlighting the importance of selflessness.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 不惜 with other similar phrases like 不怕, which means 'not afraid,' but doesn't carry the same sense of sacrifice. For example, saying '我不怕时间' (I am not afraid of time) instead of '我不惜时间' (I do not hesitate to spend time) misses the nuance of commitment.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 不惜
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Grammar Patterns of 不惜
不惜 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
至于这场战争，黑格认为要____任何代价取得胜利。
As regards the war, Haig believed in victory at any price.
As regards the war, Haig believed in victory at any price.
2
他是个不惜利用他人成就作踏脚石的人。
tā shì gè bù xī lì yòng tā rén chéng jiù zuò tà jiǎo shí de rén。
He was a man who traded on the achievements of others.
3
官员说他们会不惜一切地阻止再次发生暴乱。
guān yuán shuō tā mén huì bù xī yī qiē dì zǔ zhǐ zài cì fā shēng bào luàn。
Officials say they'll spare no expense to prevent another riot.
4
最后一天，队里的指示就是不惜一切代价实现零的突破。
zuì hòu yī tiān， ， duì lǐ de zhǐ shì jiù shì bù xī yī qiē dài jià shí xiàn líng de tū。
Team orders on the final day were to avoid the dreaded blank at all costs.
Cultural Notes for 不惜
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of sacrifice for the greater good is highly valued, which is reflected in the word 不惜. This is often seen in stories of dedication to family, community, or country, highlighting the importance of selflessness.
Frequently Asked Questions about 不惜
While it can be used in everyday conversation, it's more common in formal or written contexts due to its strong connotation.
Synonyms include 不怕 (not afraid) and 不顾 (not care about), but each has slightly different implications.
It is generally used in positive contexts where determination and commitment are emphasized, though it can imply a negative consequence if misused.
