得起 / 不起 (de qǐ / bu qǐ) – (V) can / can't afford, withstand

Pattern

• Verb + 得起 / 不起 + Object（买得起、住不起）
• 经得起 / 经不起 + Noun

Usage

• A potential complement saying whether one has the means (often money) or strength to do or withstand something: 买不起 (can't afford), 经得起考验 (stand the test), 看不起 (look down on).

Examples

1. 1

   只有经得起困难考验的朋友才是真正的朋友。

   Zhǐyǒu jīng de qǐ kùnnan kǎoyàn de péngyou cái shì zhēnzhèng de péngyou.

   Only friends who can stand the test of hardship are true friends.

2. 2

   这里的房子太贵了，我们买不起。

   Zhèlǐ de fángzi tài guì le, wǒmen mǎi bu qǐ.

   The houses here are too expensive – we can't afford them.