B1 Sentence Structure 10 min read Medium

Result Complements: Failing at the Very Last Step

Verbs in Chinese are just attempts; add a Result Complement to confirm if you actually succeeded or failed.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Resultative complements tell us the outcome of an action by attaching a second verb to the main verb.

  • Attach a result verb: {我|wǒ}{听|tīng}{懂|dǒng}了 (I listened and understood).
  • Negative uses 'méiyǒu': {我|wǒ}{没|méi}{听|tīng}{懂|dǒng} (I didn't understand).
  • Questions use 'ma' or 'méiyǒu': {你|nǐ}{听|tīng}{懂|dǒng}了{吗|ma}？
Verb + Result = Success/Outcome

Overview

Chinese verbs primarily describe the action or effort you exert, not necessarily the result or outcome of that action. This fundamental difference from many Indo-European languages is crucial for understanding Chinese grammar. When you simply use a verb like 看 (kàn) (to look) or 听 (tīng) (to listen), you are stating that the act of looking or listening occurred.

You are not confirming whether you actually saw anything or heard anything. This is where Result Complements (结果补语 — jiéguǒ bǔyǔ) become indispensable.

A Result Complement is a word or short phrase that immediately follows a main verb to indicate the outcome or result of the action. It clarifies whether the action successfully achieved its intended effect, failed, or produced a specific state. For A1 learners, grasping this concept from the outset prevents significant ambiguity in communication and lays the groundwork for more advanced sentence structures.

It's the linguistic mechanism that transforms an effort into a confirmed achievement or failure.

How This Grammar Works

Imagine the Chinese language as being very precise about causality. An action (the main verb) is the cause, and the Result Complement is the effect. The two are tightly bound, forming a single conceptual unit.
Without a Result Complement, the listener is left wondering about the success or failure of the action. For instance, if you say 我看了 (Wǒ kàn le) (I looked), a native speaker might implicitly ask, "And? Did you see anything?" The action was performed, but the outcome is unknown.
When you add a Result Complement, you resolve this ambiguity. 我看见了 (Wǒ kànjiàn le) (I saw it) explicitly states that the action of looking resulted in seeing. Similarly, 我听懂了 (Wǒ tīngdǒng le) (I understood what I heard) clarifies that the action of listening led to comprehension.
This pattern reflects a linguistic principle where the telicity (the inherent completion or endpoint) of an action is often marked explicitly, rather than being inherent in the verb itself. This makes Chinese communication highly outcome-oriented.
Result Complements are distinct from objects and adverbial modifiers. They don't indicate what was acted upon, nor how an action was performed, but rather what became of the action. They are essentially verbal suffixes that specify the consequence.
This grammatical structure allows for a rich and nuanced expression of cause and effect within a single verb phrase, providing clarity on whether an action 成功 (chénggōng) (succeeded) or 失败 (shībài) (failed) in its objective.

Word Order Rules

Result Complements form a tight bond with the verb, effectively creating a new compound verb. The basic word order is remarkably consistent, with the Result Complement always appearing directly after the main verb. This placement is non-negotiable and fundamental to the structure's meaning.
1. Affirmative Sentences (Positive Result):
The most common structure for stating that an action achieved its result is:
Subject + Verb + Result Complement + (了 le) + (Object)
The particle 了 (le) often follows the Result Complement to indicate the completion or realization of the action, but it is not always mandatory, especially if the context already implies completion. For example, 我找到了我的手机 (Wǒ zhǎodào le wǒ de shǒujī) (I found my phone). Here, 找 (zhǎo) (to look for) is the verb, 到 (dào) (to achieve) is the Result Complement, and 我的手机 (wǒ de shǒujī) (my phone) is the object.
2. Negative Sentences (Negative Result/Failure):
When an action fails to achieve its result or doesn't occur, the negation particle 没 (méi) (or 没有 – méiyǒu) is placed before the verb:
Subject + 没 (有) + Verb + Result Complement + (Object)
Crucially, 了 (le) is never used in negative sentences with 没 (méi). For example, 我没找到我的手机 (Wǒ méi zhǎodào wǒ de shǒujī) (I didn't find my phone). This structure explicitly states that the action of looking for did not result in finding.
她没听懂我说的话 (Tā méi tīngdǒng wǒ shuō de huà) (She didn't understand what I said). The action of listening did not lead to understanding.
3. Interrogative Sentences (Questions):
Questions about the result of an action can be formed in several ways:
  • With 了 (le) + 吗 (ma):
Subject + Verb + Result Complement + 了吗? + (Object)?
Example

你听懂了吗？ (Nǐ tīngdǒng le ma?) (Did you understand?)

  • With 没 (méi) + (Object) (Verb-Result negation):
Subject + Verb + Result Complement + 没 (有)? + (Object)?
Example

你找到钱包没有？ (Nǐ zhǎodào qiánbāo méiyǒu?) (Did you find your wallet?)

4. Object Placement:
In most cases, the object follows the entire verb-complement structure:
Verb + Result Complement + Object
  • 我吃完饭了 (Wǒ chīwán fàn le) (I finished eating [the meal]).
  • 他看懂那本书了 (Tā kàndǒng nà běn shū le) (He understood that book).
It is generally incorrect to place the object between the verb and its result complement, as they form a single unit. Avoid structures like 我看书懂了 (Wǒ kàn shū dǒng le).

Formation Pattern

1
Forming Result Complements involves combining a main verb (the action) with a specific word or character (the result). These result words are a finite set, each carrying a distinct meaning regarding the outcome. Mastery comes from understanding the core meaning of these result complements and how they modify the action verb.
2
Here are some of the most common and essential Result Complements for A1 learners, along with examples:
3
| Result Complement | Pinyin | Core Meaning | Examples | Notes |
4
|:------------------|:-------|:-------------|:---------|:------|
5
| 见 | jiàn | Perception, sensing, successfully perceiving | 看见 (kànjiàn): to see (look + perceive) 听见 (tīngjiàn): to hear (listen + perceive) | Often used with sensory verbs. Negation: 没看见, 没听见. |
6
| 到 | dào | Achievement, reaching a goal, successfully obtaining/doing | 找到 (zhǎodào): to find (look for + achieve) 买到 (mǎidào): to succeed in buying (buy + achieve) 收到 (shōudào): to receive (collect + achieve) | Implies successful attainment. Negation: 没找到, 没买到, 没收到. |
7
| 完 | wán | Completion, finishing an action entirely | 吃完 (chīwán): to finish eating 做完 (zuòwán): to finish doing/making 看完 (kànwán): to finish reading/watching | Focuses on the action being brought to an end. Negation: 没吃完, 没做完, 没看完. |
8
| 好 | hǎo | Doing something well, to completion, ready, fixed | 做好 (zuòhǎo): to do well/finish (doing + well/ready) 洗好 (xǐhǎo): to finish washing (wash + well/ready) 修好 (xiūhǎo): to fix (repair + well/fixed) | Implies a positive, satisfactory completion, or readiness. Negation: 没做好, 没洗好, 没修好. |
9
| 懂 | dǒng | Understanding, comprehending mentally | 听懂 (tīngdǒng): to understand by listening 看懂 (kàndǒng): to understand by reading/watching 说懂 (shuōdǒng): to make someone understand | Used specifically for mental comprehension. Negation: 没听懂, 没看懂, 没说懂. |
10
| 错 | cuò | Incorrectly, wrongly, making a mistake in the action | 写错 (xiěcuò): to write incorrectly 说错 (shuōcuò): to say something wrong 买错 (mǎicuò): to buy the wrong thing | Indicates an error or mistake in the outcome. Negation: 没写错, 没说错, 没买错. |
11
| 清 | qīng | Clearly, distinctly, to make clear | 看清 (kànqīng): to see clearly 听清 (tīngqīng): to hear clearly | Used with sensory verbs to indicate clarity of perception. Negation: 没看清, 没听清. |
12
Examples in context:
13
我没听见他说了什么 (Wǒ méi tīngjiàn tā shuō le shénme). (I didn't hear what he said.) – The action of listening did not result in perceiving his words.
14
你找到你的钥匙了吗？(Nǐ zhǎodào nǐ de yàoshi le ma?) (Did you find your keys?) – Questioning if the action of searching led to success.
15
这份作业我还没做完 (Zhè fèn zuòyè wǒ hái méi zuòwán). (I haven't finished this homework yet.) – Indicates the homework is not yet completely done.

When To Use It

Use Result Complements whenever the outcome, completion, or success/failure of an action is important to convey. This structure is not optional when you need to specify the result. Simply stating the verb often leaves a gap in meaning that only a Result Complement can fill.
1. To Indicate Successful Completion or Achievement:
This is the most frequent application. When an action has reached its desired end or target, a Result Complement is almost always necessary.
  • Instead of 我买票了 (Wǒ mǎi piào le) (I bought tickets - implies I completed the action, but not necessarily successfully obtained them), say 我买到票了 (Wǒ mǎidào piào le) (I successfully bought the tickets). 到 (dào) confirms acquisition.
  • Instead of 我读那本书了 (Wǒ dú nà běn shū le) (I read that book - implies I performed the action of reading), say 我看完那本书了 (Wǒ kànwán nà běn shū le) (I finished reading that book). 完 (wán) confirms total completion.
2. To Express Failure or Non-Achievement of an Action:
Equally important is using Result Complements to explicitly state that an action did not result in the intended outcome. This is where the 没 (méi) negation becomes vital.
  • 我没听懂他说的话 (Wǒ méi tīngdǒng tā shuō de huà). (I didn't understand what he said.) – The listening action did not lead to comprehension.
  • 我的手机没修好 (Wǒ de shǒujī méi xiūhǎo). (My phone isn't fixed.) – The repair action did not lead to a fixed state.
3. To Emphasize the State Resulting from an Action:
Some Result Complements highlight the resultant state. For example, 好 (hǎo) emphasizes a state of readiness or being well-done.
  • 饭做好了，可以吃了 (Fàn zuòhǎo le, kěyǐ chī le). (The food is ready/cooked well, you can eat it now.)
4. With Sensory or Cognitive Verbs:
Verbs related to seeing, hearing, understanding, or remembering frequently combine with 见 (jiàn), 懂 (dǒng), 清 (qīng), or 着 (zháo) to specify the perception or comprehension achieved.
  • 我看见你了 (Wǒ kànjiàn nǐ le). (I saw you.)
  • 这个字你看清楚了吗？ (Zhège zì nǐ kàn qīngchǔ le ma?) (Did you see this character clearly?)
5. In Commands or Suggestions:
While primarily describing completed actions, Result Complements can appear in commands, often implying a desired future completion.
  • 你快点儿写完吧！ (Nǐ kuài diǎnr xiěwán ba!) (Hurry up and finish writing!)
  • 把门关好！ (Bǎ mén guānhǎo!) (Close the door properly!)
Result Complements are ubiquitous in everyday Chinese. Omitting them when an outcome is implied or necessary sounds incomplete or even unnatural to a native speaker. They are the precision tools of verbal expression in Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Beginners often struggle with Result Complements due to direct translation from English or a lack of understanding of the Chinese verb's inherent focus. Avoiding these common pitfalls is crucial for accurate and natural communication.
1. Confusing 没 (méi) and 不 (bù) for Negation:
This is perhaps the most frequent and significant error. For past or completed actions that failed to achieve a result, always use 没 (méi) (or 没有 – méiyǒu) before the verb.
  • Incorrect: *我不知道 (Wǒ bù zhīdào) for "I didn't know." (This means "I don't know" - habitual or present state of not knowing.)
  • Correct: 我不知道 (Wǒ bù zhīdào) (I don't know.)
  • Correct (Past Failure): 我没知道 (Wǒ méi zhīdào) (I didn't know at that time / I failed to find out). However, 没知道 is less common than 没听见, 没看见 for sensory/cognitive verbs. A more natural way to say "I didn't know" in the past would be 我当时不知道 (Wǒ dāngshí bù zhīdào). But for Result Complements, the 没 rule is firm: 我没听懂 (Wǒ méi tīngdǒng) (I didn't understand [by listening]).
  • Incorrect: *我没看见 (Wǒ méi kànjiàn) for

Resultative Verb Formation

Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Verb + Result + le
{我|wǒ}{看|kàn}{完|wán}了
Negative
méiyǒu + Verb + Result
{我|wǒ}{没|méi}{看|kàn}{完|wán}
Question (ma)
Verb + Result + le + ma
{你|nǐ}{看|kàn}{完|wán}了{吗|ma}？
Question (méiyǒu)
Verb + Result + méiyǒu
{你|nǐ}{看|kàn}{完|wán}{没有|méiyǒu}？
Potential (can)
Verb + de + Result
{我|wǒ}{看|kàn}{得|de}{完|wán}
Potential (cannot)
Verb + bu + Result
{我|wǒ}{看|kàn}{不|bù}{完|wán}

Meanings

Resultative complements indicate the outcome or result of an action. They transform a simple verb into a compound that specifies whether the goal of the action was achieved.

1

Completion

The action reached its natural end.

“{我|wǒ}{吃|chī}{完|wán}了。”

“{他|tā}{写|xiě}{完|wán}了。”

2

Success/Achievement

The action was successful.

“{我|wǒ}{看|kàn}{见|jiàn}了。”

“{我|wǒ}{听|tīng}{懂|dǒng}了。”

3

State Change

The action caused a change in state.

“{门|mén}{打|dǎ}{开|kāi}了。”

“{衣服|yīfu}{洗|xǐ}{干|gān}了。”

Reference Table

Reference table for Result Complements: Failing at the Very Last Step
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
V + R
{我|wǒ}{找|zhǎo}{到|dào}了
Negative
没 + V + R
{我|wǒ}{没|méi}{找|zhǎo}{到|dào}
Yes/No
V + R + 吗
{你|nǐ}{找|zhǎo}{到|dào}了{吗|ma}？
Alternative
V + R + 没有
{你|nǐ}{找|zhǎo}{到|dào}{没有|méiyǒu}？
Potential Affirmative
V + 得 + R
{我|wǒ}{找|zhǎo}{得|de}{到|dào}
Potential Negative
V + 不 + R
{我|wǒ}{找|zhǎo}{不|bù}{到|dào}

Formality Spectrum

Formal
{我|wǒ}{已|yǐ}{完|wán}{成|chéng}{了|le}{工|gōng}{作|zuò}。

{我|wǒ}{已|yǐ}{完|wán}{成|chéng}{了|le}{工|gōng}{作|zuò}。 (Work)

Neutral
{我|wǒ}{做|zuò}{完|wán}{了|le}{工|gōng}{作|zuò}。

{我|wǒ}{做|zuò}{完|wán}{了|le}{工|gōng}{作|zuò}。 (Work)

Informal
{我|wǒ}{做|zuò}{完|wán}{了|le}。

{我|wǒ}{做|zuò}{完|wán}{了|le}。 (Work)

Slang
{搞|gǎo}{定|dìng}{了|le}！

{搞|gǎo}{定|dìng}{了|le}！ (Work)

Resultative Verb Components

Verb + Result

Completion

  • 完 finish

Success

  • 到 reach
  • 见 see

State

  • 开 open
  • 破 broken
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Examples by Level

1

{我|wǒ}{吃|chī}{完|wán}了。

I finished eating.

2

{我|wǒ}{找|zhǎo}{到|dào}了。

I found it.

3

{我|wǒ}{听|tīng}{懂|dǒng}了。

I understood.

4

{我|wǒ}{看|kàn}{见|jiàn}了。

I saw it.

1

{我|wǒ}{没|méi}{吃|chī}{完|wán}。

I didn't finish eating.

2

{你|nǐ}{找|zhǎo}{到|dào}{钥匙|yàoshi}了{吗|ma}？

Did you find the keys?

3

{他|tā}{没|méi}{听|tīng}{懂|dǒng}。

He didn't understand.

4

{作业|zuòyè}{写|xiě}{完|wán}了{吗|ma}？

Did you finish the homework?

1

{门|mén}{打|dǎ}{开|kāi}了。

The door is open.

2

{杯子|bēizi}{打|dǎ}{破|pò}了。

The cup is broken.

3

{我|wǒ}{没|méi}{买|mǎi}{到|dào}{票|piào}。

I didn't manage to buy the ticket.

4

{他|tā}{把|bǎ}{书|shū}{看|kàn}{完|wán}了。

He finished reading the book.

1

{这|zhè}{个|gè}{问题|wèntí}{我|wǒ}{想|xiǎng}{出|chū}{来|lái}了。

I figured out this problem.

2

{他|tā}{把|bǎ}{秘密|mìmì}{说|shuō}{漏|lòu}{了|le}。

He accidentally leaked the secret.

3

{我|wǒ}{把|bǎ}{衣服|yīfu}{洗|xǐ}{干|gān}了。

I washed the clothes clean.

4

{这|zhè}{个|gè}{字|zì}{我|wǒ}{写|xiě}{错|cuò}了。

I wrote this character wrong.

1

{他|tā}{把|bǎ}{这|zhè}{件|jiàn}{事|shì}{办|bàn}{砸|zá}了。

He messed up this matter.

2

{我|wǒ}{把|bǎ}{他|tā}{认|rèn}{成|chéng}{了|le}{我|wǒ}{朋友|péngyǒu}。

I mistook him for my friend.

3

{这|zhè}{个|gè}{计划|jìhuà}{被|bèi}{他|tā}{搞|gǎo}{乱|luàn}了。

This plan was messed up by him.

4

{我|wǒ}{把|bǎ}{这|zhè}{个|gè}{任务|rènwù}{做|zuò}{好|hǎo}了。

I completed this task well.

1

{他|tā}{把|bǎ}{这|zhè}{本|běn}{书|shū}{翻|fān}{烂|làn}了。

He read this book until it fell apart.

2

{我|wǒ}{把|bǎ}{这|zhè}{个|gè}{词|cí}{听|tīng}{成|chéng}{了|le}{另|lìng}{一|yī}{个|gè}{词|cí}。

I misheard this word as another.

3

{他|tā}{把|bǎ}{钱|qián}{花|huā}{光|guāng}了。

He spent all the money.

4

{这|zhè}{个|gè}{消息|xiāoxi}{被|bèi}{他|tā}{传|chuán}{开|kāi}了。

This news was spread by him.

Easily Confused

Result Complements: Failing at the Very Last Step vs RVC vs. Aspect 'le'

Learners use 'le' for everything.

Result Complements: Failing at the Very Last Step vs RVC vs. Potential Complement

Mixing up 'de' and 'bu'.

Result Complements: Failing at the Very Last Step vs Negation: 'bu' vs 'mei'

Using 'bu' for RVC.

Common Mistakes

✗

{我|wǒ}{不|bù}{吃|chī}{完|wán}。

✓

{我|wǒ}{没|méi}{吃|chī}{完|wán}。

Use 'méiyǒu' for past/completed action negation.
✗

{我|wǒ}{看|kàn}{书|shū}{完|wán}。

✓

{我|wǒ}{看|kàn}{完|wán}{书|shū}。

The complement must follow the verb immediately.
✗

{我|wǒ}{找|zhǎo}{钥匙|yàoshi}。

✓

{我|wǒ}{找|zhǎo}{到|dào}{钥匙|yàoshi}。

Need a result to show success.
✗

{我|wǒ}{听|tīng}{懂|dǒng}了{吗|ma}？

✓

{你|nǐ}{听|tīng}{懂|dǒng}了{吗|ma}？

Subject confusion.
✗

{他|tā}{没|méi}{买|mǎi}{到|dào}。

✓

{他|tā}{没|méi}{买|mǎi}{到|dào}{票|piào}。

Missing object.
✗

{我|wǒ}{写|xiě}{完|wán}{了|le}{作业|zuòyè}。

✓

{我|wǒ}{写|xiě}{完|wán}{作业|zuòyè}了。

Le goes at the end.
✗

{门|mén}{打|dǎ}{开|kāi}。

✓

{门|mén}{打|dǎ}{开|kāi}了。

Need 'le' for state change.
✗

{我|wǒ}{把|bǎ}{书|shū}{看|kàn}{了|le}{完|wán}。

✓

{我|wǒ}{把|bǎ}{书|shū}{看|kàn}{完|wán}了。

Le placement.
✗

{他|tā}{把|bǎ}{杯子|bēizi}{打|dǎ}{破|pò}{了|le}。

✓

{他|tā}{把|bǎ}{杯子|bēizi}{打|dǎ}{破|pò}了。

Le placement.
✗

{我|wǒ}{听|tīng}{不|bù}{懂|dǒng}{了|le}。

✓

{我|wǒ}{听|tīng}{不|bù}{懂|dǒng}。

Potential complements don't take 'le'.
✗

{这|zhè}{个|gè}{词|cí}{被|bèi}{他|tā}{听|tīng}{成|chéng}{了|le}{另|lìng}{一|yī}{个|gè}{词|cí}。

✓

{这|zhè}{个|gè}{词|cí}{被|bèi}{他|tā}{听|tīng}{成}{了}{另|lìng}{一|yī}{个|gè}{词|cí}。

Complex passive structure.

Sentence Patterns

我___了。

你___吗？

我没___。

他把___了。

Real World Usage

Texting constant

{我|wǒ}{到|dào}了。

Food Delivery very common

{我|wǒ}{吃|chī}{完|wán}了。

Job Interview common

{我|wǒ}{已|yǐ}{完|wán}{成|chéng}{了|le}{任|rèn}{务|wù}。

Travel common

{我|wǒ}{买|mǎi}{到|dào}{票|piào}了。

Social Media common

{我|wǒ}{看|kàn}{完|wán}{了|le}{电|diàn}{影|yǐng}！

Classroom very common

{你|nǐ}{听|tīng}{懂|dǒng}了{吗|ma}？

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💡

The 'Méi' Rule

Always use 'méiyǒu' to negate an RVC. Never use 'bù'.
⚠️

Don't Split

Never put an object between the verb and the result.
🎯

Think Outcomes

When you want to say you achieved something, look for an RVC.
💬

Natural Speech

Using RVCs makes you sound much more native than using simple verbs.

Smart Tips

Add 'dào' or 'wán' to the verb.

我找钥匙。 → 我找到钥匙了。

Use 'méiyǒu' + Verb + Result.

我不买到票。 → 我没买到票。

Use 'Verb + Result + le'.

门打开。 → 门打开了。

Use 'Verb + de/bu + Result'.

我看不完。 → 我看不完。

Pronunciation

kàn-wan (wan is light)

Neutral tone

The result complement often takes a neutral tone in speech.

Falling

Wǒ kàn-wán le ↘

Statement of fact.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the result complement as a 'Result Tag' you glue onto the verb to show it worked.

Visual Association

Imagine a person trying to open a door. If they succeed, they shout 'Kai!' (Open). The verb is 'Da' (Hit/Push), the result is 'Kai'. Together: 'Da-kai'.

Rhyme

Verb plus result, success is the goal, don't use 'bu' for the negative role.

Story

Xiao Wang wanted to read a book. He started reading. He finished it. He said 'Wo kan-wan le.' Then he looked for his keys. He found them. He said 'Wo zhao-dao le.'

Word Web

完到见懂开破好错

Challenge

For the next 5 minutes, describe everything you finish doing using 'Verb + wan'.

Cultural Notes

RVCs are used in all contexts, from formal business to casual street talk.

Similar usage, but sometimes '好' is used more frequently as a result complement.

Speakers might use '完' more emphatically.

RVCs evolved from serial verb constructions in Classical Chinese.

Conversation Starters

“

{你|nǐ}{作业|zuòyè}{写|xiě}{完|wán}了{吗|ma}？

“

{你|nǐ}{找|zhǎo}{到|dào}{你|nǐ}{的|de}{书|shū}了{吗|ma}？

“

{你|nǐ}{听|tīng}{懂|dǒng}{了|le}{老|lǎo}{师|shī}{的|de}{话|huà}{吗|ma}？

“

{这|zhè}{个|gè}{电|diàn}{影|yǐng}{你|nǐ}{看|kàn}{完|wán}了{吗|ma}？

Journal Prompts

Describe your morning routine using resultative verbs.
Write about a time you tried to find something but failed.
Explain a task you recently completed at work or school.
Reflect on a misunderstanding you had and how you resolved it.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

我没___到票。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
买到 is the correct RVC.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

我看不完书。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Correct structure.
Choose the correct negative. Multiple Choice

他___听懂。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Use 'méi' for RVC.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Correct word order.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

I finished eating.

Answer starts with: a...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct RVC.
Match the verb to the result. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
找到 is a common RVC.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Did you find it?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: c
Correct question form.
Fill in the blank.

门打___了。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
打开 is the correct RVC.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

我没___到票。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
买到 is the correct RVC.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

我看不完书。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Correct structure.
Choose the correct negative. Multiple Choice

他___听懂。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Use 'méi' for RVC.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

了 / 完 / 我 / 书 / 看

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Correct word order.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

I finished eating.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct RVC.
Match the verb to the result. Match Pairs

找 -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
找到 is a common RVC.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Did you find it?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: c
Correct question form.
Fill in the blank.

门打___了。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
打开 is the correct RVC.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Choose the right result complement. Fill in the Blank

I finished eating dinner. {我吃___晚饭了。|Wǒ chī ___ wǎnfàn le.}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {完|wán}
Which sentence means 'I bought the wrong ticket'? Multiple Choice

Select the correct Chinese sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我买错票了。|Wǒ mǎicuò piào le.}
Put the words in order. Sentence Reorder

Arrange to say: 'Did you hear?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {你听见了吗？|Nǐ tīngjiàn le ma?}
Match the verb with its logical result. Match Pairs

Pair the Action with the Result:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["{\u770b|k\u00e0n} (Look)::{\u89c1|ji\u00e0n} (See)","{\u627e|zh\u01ceo} (Search)::{\u5230|d\u00e0o} (Find)","{\u505a|zu\u00f2} (Do)::{\u5b8c|w\u00e1n} (Finish)"]
Fix the negation. Error Correction

{我昨天不看见他在学校。|Wǒ zuótiān bú kànjiàn tā zài xuéxiào.}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我昨天没看见他在学校。|Wǒ zuótiān méi kànjiàn tā zài xuéxiào.}
Translate 'I haven't finished watching.' Translation

Translate into Chinese:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我没看完。|Wǒ méi kànwán.}
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Can you understand English? {你听得___英语吗？|Nǐ tīng de ___ Yīngyǔ ma?}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {懂|dǒng}
Order the words to say: 'I didn't buy it (failed to buy).' Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我没买到|Wǒ méi mǎidào}
Which sentence implies the homework is fully done? Multiple Choice

Select the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {作业写完了。|Zuòyè xiěwán le.}
Match the Chinese to the English meaning. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["{\u542c\u9519|T\u012bngcu\u00f2}::Heard wrong","{\u542c\u89c1|T\u012bngji\u00e0n}::Heard (perceived)","{\u542c\u61c2|T\u012bngd\u01d2ng}::Understood"]

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, never. Always use 'méiyǒu' because RVCs describe completed actions.

They specify the outcome of an action, which is essential for clear communication.

Usually at the end of the sentence or after the RVC.

'wán' means finished, 'hǎo' means completed well.

Yes, use 'ma' or 'méiyǒu' at the end.

Yes, they are standard in all registers.

Use the potential complement: 'kàn-bu-wán'.

It's a compound verb, so treat it as one unit.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish low

Perfect tenses

Chinese uses a second verb, Spanish uses 'haber'.

French low

Passé composé

Chinese RVCs are lexical compounds.

German partial

Separable verbs

German prefixes are often spatial; Chinese RVCs are resultative.

Japanese moderate

Te-form + shimau

Japanese uses a grammatical auxiliary; Chinese uses a lexical verb.

Arabic low

Perfective aspect

Chinese is isolating; Arabic is inflectional.

Chinese high

RVC

N/A

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Rather Than A, Better to B ({与其|yǔqí}...{不如|bùrú}...)
Next
Regarding & As For: Using {对于|duìyú}

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