爱莫能助 ài mò néng zhù

want to help but can't; my hands are tied

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 23381st word

Definitions

  1. 1. unable to help however much one would like to (idiom); Although we sympathize, there is no way to help you.
  2. 2. My hands are tied.

Characters

Character Meaning
爱 ài HSK 1
to love; to like; to be fond of
莫 mò HSK 6
do not; surname Mo; there is none who
能 néng HSK 1
can; to be able to; ability
助 zhù HSK 2
to help; to assist