auxiliary verb HSK 4
to be willing to · to agree to · to consent
Meaning
肯 expresses willingness or consent to do something. It indicates that someone is ready or agreeable to perform an action, often implying a degree of voluntary choice. When used in the negative (不肯), it means to refuse or be unwilling to do something.
Usage
肯 is commonly used before another verb to indicate willingness. It's more emphatic than 愿意 (yuànyì) and often appears in contexts where someone's consent or agreement is being questioned or emphasized. Native speakers frequently use 不肯 to express stubborn refusal or unwillingness.
Examples
- 01他不肯承认自己的错误。.He refuses to admit his mistake.
- 02如果你肯努力学习，一定能考上大学。, .If you are willing to study hard, you will definitely be able to get into university.
Common collocations
- 不肯to refuse; to be unwilling
- 肯定to affirm; definitely
- 肯帮忙willing to help
Antonyms
Origin
The character 肯 originally combined 止 (foot/to stop) and 肉 (meat/flesh), possibly suggesting the idea of stopping at meat or being satisfied, which evolved into the meaning of being willing or agreeable.