Can/Can't do: The Potential Complement
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use '得' (de) or '不' (bù) between a verb and its result to express whether an action is possible.
- Affirmative: Verb + 得 + Result/Direction (e.g., 看得见 - can see).
- Negative: Verb + 不 + Result/Direction (e.g., 看不见 - cannot see).
- Question: Verb + 得 + Result + Verb + 不 + Result? (e.g., 看得见看不见? - can you see it?).
Overview
The Chinese potential complement (可能补语 kěnéng bǔyǔ) is a sophisticated grammatical construction that articulates whether an action's intended or natural outcome is achievable or unachievable under prevailing circumstances. It moves beyond simple ability or permission, focusing instead on the objective feasibility of successfully completing an action or attaining a specific result. Mastering this concept is crucial for expressing nuanced limitations and capabilities in Mandarin, particularly at the B1 intermediate level.
Crucially, the 了 (liǎo) in forms like 得了 (déliǎo) and 不了 (bùliǎo) functions as a resultative complement, meaning "to finish," "to manage," or "to succeed in reaching an end." This distinguishes it sharply from the aspect particle 了 (le), which simply indicates a completed action. For instance, 吃不了 (chībùliǎo) fundamentally means "to eat (and) not be able to achieve the outcome of finishing/managing," implying an impediment to completion.
This pattern exemplifies a core principle of Chinese syntax: a strong emphasis on the result of an action. While English typically employs modal verbs to convey possibility or inability, Chinese often embeds the potential for a specific outcome directly within the verb phrase itself. This efficiency allows speakers to communicate intricate details about capacity, time, physical barriers, or mental states with concise precision, reflecting a pragmatic worldview that grounds statements in objective reality rather than mere subjective will.
How This Grammar Works
听懂 (tīngdǒng) ("to hear and understand") describe a factual result, the potential complement inserts 得 (de) or 不 (bù) to specifically articulate the potential for that outcome. The particle 得 (de) signals possibility, whereas 不 (bù) denotes impossibility.看 (kàn) ("to look") and the resultative complement 清楚 (qīngchu) ("clear"). To state a factual outcome like "to see clearly," you use 看清楚 (kànqīngchu). To express the possibility of seeing clearly, 得 (de) is inserted: 看得清楚 (kàndéqīngchu) ("can see clearly").看不清楚 (kànbùqīngchu) ("cannot see clearly") indicates the impossibility. Here, 得 and 不 function as potential markers, bridging the verb to its resultative complement, irrespective of the specific complement used.得 (de) derived from its meaning "to obtain" or "to get," while 不 (bù) meant "not." Their evolution in this construction reflects the idea of successfully "obtaining" or failing to "obtain" a result or state. This linguistic development highlights the Chinese language's capacity to grammaticalize complex ideas into efficient, outcome-focused structures. The specific potential complement 得了/不了 follows this logic, using 了 (liǎo) as the resultative component.了 (liǎo) in this context specifically denotes "finishing," "completing," or "being able to successfully carry an action through to its natural end." Thus, 做得了 (zuòdéliǎo) means "to do and be able to achieve/finish," implying not just the act of doing, but the successful culmination of that act. This distinct focus differentiates it from simple modal verbs.Formation Pattern
得 (de) or 不 (bù) between the main verb and its complement. This system is highly regular, ensuring clarity in expressing feasibility.
得/不 + 了 (liǎo)
了 here is pronounced liǎo (third tone), not le.
得 (de) + 了 (liǎo) | Chīdé liǎo | 吃得了 | Can finish eating / Can manage to eat |
不 (bù) + 了 (liǎo) | Chībù liǎo | 吃不了 | Cannot finish eating / Cannot manage to eat |
得 (de) + 了 (liǎo) + Verb + 不 (bù) + 了 (liǎo)? | Chīdé liǎo chībù liǎo? | 吃得了吃不了？ | Can you finish eating or not? |
这么多行李，我一个人搬得了。 (Zhème duō xíngli, wǒ yīgè rén bāndéliǎo.) - "I can move this much luggage by myself." (Indicates sufficient capacity to complete the task.)
我今天太忙了，做不了饭了。 (Wǒ jīntiān tài máng le, zuòbùliǎo fàn le.) - "I'm too busy today, I can't cook a meal." (Circumstances—busyness—prevent the completion of cooking.)
得/不 + Resultative/Directional Complement (RC/DC)
了 (liǎo) to any resultative or directional complement, allowing for more specific outcome descriptions. This is the broader V-得/不-RC/DC pattern.
得 (de) + RC/DC (Positive Potential)
我听得懂他说的话。 (Wǒ tīngdédǒng tā shuō de huà.) - "I can understand what he's saying." (懂 (dǒng): result of comprehension is achievable.)
这道菜很辣，你吃得下吗？ (Zhè dào cài hěn là, nǐ chīdéxià ma?) - "This dish is very spicy, can you eat it?" (下 (xià): result of 'swallowing down' is achievable.)
不 (bù) + RC/DC (Negative Potential)
这本词典太厚了，我查不到那个词。 (Zhè běn cídiǎn tài hòu le, wǒ chábùdào nàgè cí.) - "This dictionary is too thick, I can't find that word." (The dictionary's size impedes the result of finding.)
这里太吵了，我听不清他在说什么。 (Zhèlǐ tài chǎo le, wǒ tīngbùqīng tā zài shuō shénme.) - "It's too noisy here, I can't hear clearly what he's saying." (Noise prevents clear hearing.)
得/不 + RC/DC + Object
我吃不了这份饭。 (Wǒ chībùliǎo zhè fèn fàn.) - "I can't finish this meal." (Object 这份饭 follows 吃不了.)
你看得清那边的字。 (Nǐ kàndéqīng nà biān de zì.) - "You can clearly see the characters over there." (Object 那边的字 follows 看得清.)
我饭吃不了。 (Wǒ fàn chībùliǎo.) This structure is inverted and unnatural.
得了/不了.
你听得懂听不懂？ (Nǐ tīngdédǒng tīngbùdǒng?) - "Do you understand or not?"
这件衣服洗得干净洗不干净？ (Zhè jiàn yīfu xǐdé gānjìng xǐbù gānjìng?) - "Can this piece of clothing be washed clean or not?"
When To Use It
这座山太高了，我爬不上去。(Zhè zuò shān tài gāo le, wǒ pá bù shàngqù.) - "This mountain is too high, I can't climb it." (Lack of physical capacity to reach the summit.)你一个人搬得动这个冰箱吗？(Nǐ yīgè rén bāndédòng zhège bīngxiāng ma?) - "Can you move this refrigerator by yourself?" (Inquiring about a single person's strength to move a heavy object.)
离考试只剩五分钟了，我写不完这份卷子。(Lí kǎoshì zhǐ shèng wǔ fēnzhōng le, wǒ xiěbùwán zhè fèn juànzi.) - "Only five minutes left until the exam, I can't finish this paper." (Insufficient time is the limiting factor.)这点活儿我一个小时就做得完了。(Zhè diǎn huór wǒ yī gè xiǎoshí jiù zuòdéwán le.) - "I can finish this small amount of work in just one hour." (The task is achievable within the given timeframe.)
外面下着暴雨，我根本出不了门。(Wàimiàn xiàzhe bàoyǔ, wǒ gēnběn chūbùliǎo mén.) - "It's pouring rain outside, I can't leave the house at all." (Adverse weather prevents the act of going out.)电影票已经售罄了，我们买不到了。(Diànyǐngpiào yǐjīng shòuqìng le, wǒmen mǎibùdào le.) - "The movie tickets are sold out, we can't buy them." (Lack of availability is the objective constraint.)
受不了 (shòubùliǎo) is a prime example, signifying an inability to tolerate or endure further, a critical expression for emotional states.他总是抱怨，我真的受不了了。(Tā zǒngshì bàoyuàn, wǒ zhēnde shòubùliǎo le.) - "He's always complaining, I really can't stand it anymore." (Emotional capacity to endure has been exceeded.)这个房间太吵了，我睡不着。(Zhège fángjiān tài chǎo le, wǒ shuìbùzháo.) - "This room is too noisy, I can't fall asleep." (External noise prevents the state of being asleep.)
光线太暗，我看不清黑板上的字。(Guāngxiàn tài àn, wǒ kànbùqīng hēibǎn shàng de zì.) - "The light is too dim, I can't see the words on the blackboard clearly." (Poor lighting impedes clear vision.)他说方言说得太快，我听不懂。(Tā shuō fāngyán shuōdé tài kuài, wǒ tīngbùdǒng.) - "He speaks the dialect too quickly, I can't understand him." (Speed of speech prevents comprehension.)
Common Mistakes
了 (liǎo) as le了 in 得了 (déliǎo) and 不了 (bùliǎo) is pronounced with a third tone, liǎo, signifying "to finish," "to be capable," or "to manage to do something." It is fundamentally distinct from the neutral-toned aspect particle 了 (le), which indicates a completed action or a change of state. Incorrect pronunciation drastically alters the meaning, leading to misunderstanding.- Incorrect:
我吃不了饭 (Wǒ chī bù le fàn)– This might be interpreted as "I ate no food" or "I finished no food," which grammatically doesn't convey an inability to finish due to circumstances. - Correct:
我吃不了饭 (Wǒ chī bù liǎo fàn)– "I can't finish the meal (due to feeling full, or too much food)."
liǎo with the correct third tone to convey the intended potential meaning, distinguishing it from an aspect marker. In Chinese, tones carry significant semantic weight.V不了 with 不能 V不能 + Verb | Verb + 不了 (liǎo) |你不能在这里吸烟。 (Nǐ bùnéng zài zhèlǐ xīyān.) - "You cannot smoke here." (It's forbidden by rules.) | 他嗓子哑了，唱不了歌。 (Tā sǎngzi yǎ le, chàngbùliǎo gē.) - "His voice is hoarse, he cannot sing." (Physical condition prevents the act.) |我不能喝酒。 (Wǒ bùnéng hējiǔ.) - "I cannot drink alcohol." (Perhaps due to medication, religious belief, or a personal choice not to.) | 我今天喝不了酒了。 (Wǒ jīntiān hēbùliǎo jiǔ le.) - "I cannot drink alcohol today." (Perhaps because I'm driving, or I've already had too much.) |他不能游泳。 (Tā bùnéng yóuyǒng.) - "He cannot swim." (He lacks the skill.) | 今天风太大，我游不了泳。 (Jīntiān fēng tài dà, wǒ yóubùliǎo yǒng.) - "The wind is too strong today, I cannot swim." (External conditions prevent the activity.) |V得了V得了 is less commonly used in natural conversation for simple assertions of ability or possibility. Chinese speakers often prefer 能 V or 可以 V for general statements. V得了 typically carries an implicit nuance of overcoming a difficulty or confirming feasibility when doubt exists, making it a stronger affirmation.- Instead of
我吃得了这么多饭。("I can eat this much food."), a more natural expression of simple ability is我能吃这么多饭。(Wǒ néng chī zhème duō fàn.) - Use
V得了when emphasizing:你别担心，这个任务你做得得了。(Nǐ bié dānxīn, zhège rènwu nǐ zuòdéliǎo.) - "Don't worry, you can do this task." (Assuring someone of their capability despite perceived challenges, implying success is possible.)
- Incorrect:
我得了是。(Wǒ déliǎo shì.) - (Attempting with是 (shì), "to be") - Incorrect:
我得了有。(Wǒ déliǎo yǒu.) - (Attempting with有 (yǒu), "to have")
想得开 (xiǎngdékāi): "can be open-minded"; 看得惯 (kàndéguàn): "can get used to seeing").- Incorrect:
他工作做不了。(Tā gōngzuò zuòbùliǎo.) - The object工作 (gōngzuò)is incorrectly placed before做不了. - Correct:
他做不了这份工作。(Tā zuòbùliǎo zhè fèn gōngzuò.) - "He can't do this job." (The object这份工作follows做不了.)
Real Conversations
Observing how native speakers employ the potential complement in various contexts provides invaluable insight into its practical application. The structure, particularly its negative form, is ubiquitous in expressing daily limitations and possibilities in modern Chinese communication.
1. Casual Chat & Social Media:
In informal interactions, 不了 (bùliǎo) is a common and efficient way to decline invitations, cite practical constraints, or describe overwhelming situations. It's concise and direct.
- Scenario: A friend invites you out spontaneously.
- Friend: 晚上一起去吃火锅怎么样？ (Wǎnshàng yīqǐ qù chī huǒguō zěnmeyàng?) - "How about we go eat hotpot tonight?"
- You: 唉，我今天得加班，去不了了。 (Āi, wǒ jīntiān děi jiābān, qùbùliǎo le.) - "Ah, I have to work overtime today, can't go." (The circumstance of overtime prevents the outcome of going.)
- Scenario: Reacting to a social media post about extreme cuteness or annoyance.
- Post: A video of a mischievous cat knocking everything off shelves.
- Comment: 这猫也太淘气了，我真的受不了了！ (Zhè māo yě tài táoqì le, wǒ zhēnde shòubùliǎo le!) - "This cat is just too naughty, I really can't stand it anymore!" (Emotional threshold reached, inability to endure further.)
2. Work & Academic Settings:
In professional or academic environments, potential complements are crucial for discussing deadlines, project feasibility, and task allocation, conveying practical limitations without implying a lack of effort.
- Scenario: A colleague asks about a report.
- Colleague: 这个报告你明天上午交得了吗？ (Zhège bàogào nǐ míngtiān shàngwǔ jiāodéliǎo ma?) - "Can you submit this report by tomorrow morning?" (Inquiring about the feasibility of completion by a deadline.)
- You: 恐怕交不了，数据分析还需要时间。 (Kǒngpà jiāobùliǎo, shùjù fēnxī hái xūyào shíjiān.) - "Probably can't submit it, data analysis still needs time." (Insufficient time prevents the outcome of submission.)
- Scenario: A student discusses a difficult problem with a teacher.
- Student: 老师，这道数学题太复杂了，我解不出来。 (Lǎoshī, zhè dào shùxuétí tài fùzá le, wǒ jiěbù chūlái.) - "Teacher, this math problem is too complicated, I can't solve it." (The complexity of the problem prevents finding a solution.)
3. Travel & Logistics:
When managing travel plans or encountering logistical challenges, potential complements are essential for communicating what is feasible or not regarding transportation, accommodation, or scheduling.
- Scenario: At a train station, trying to buy tickets.
- You: 请问，晚上八点到北京的火车票还买得到吗？ (Qǐngwèn, wǎnshàng bā diǎn dào Běijīng de huǒchēpiào hái mǎidédào ma?) - "Excuse me, can I still buy a train ticket to Beijing for 8 PM?" (Asking if availability makes purchase achievable.)
- Staff: 对不起，那趟车票已经卖光了，买不到了。 (Duìbuqǐ, nà tàng chēpiào yǐjīng màiguāng le, mǎibùdào le.) - "Sorry, tickets for that train are sold out, you can't buy them." (Lack of tickets makes purchase impossible.)
These examples demonstrate the versatility and indispensability of the potential complement in modern Chinese, reflecting how speakers continually assess and communicate their capabilities and constraints within objective reality. It’s a grammatical tool rooted in pragmatic expression.
Quick FAQ
V得了 and 能 V or 可以 V?能 V(néng V): Expresses general ability, permission, or objective possibility. It's about what one has the skill/right to do, or what is generally possible.我能说汉语。(Wǒ néng shuō Hànyǔ.) - "I can speak Chinese." (General ability/skill, e.g., I've learned it.)我能帮你。(Wǒ néng bāng nǐ.) - "I can help you." (Objective possibility, I possess the means or capacity.)可以 V(kěyǐ V): Primarily expresses permission or feasibility/allowance by rules or circumstances. It often implies a lack of prohibition.你可以在这里吃饭。(Nǐ kěyǐ zài zhèlǐ chīfàn.) - "You can eat here." (Permission is granted.)这个问题可以解决。(Zhège wèntí kěyǐ jiějué.) - "This problem can be solved." (Feasibility; it is possible to resolve it.)V得了(déliǎo): Focuses on the achievability of the action's result in specific circumstances. It implies successfully overcoming a particular constraint to succeed in the action's completion.这么多重的东西你搬得了吗？(Zhème duō zhòng de dōngxi nǐ bāndéliǎo ma?) - "Can you move something this heavy?" (Asking about the specific feasibility of moving this particular item given its weight.)
能 as "can (am able to)", 可以 as "can (am allowed to/it is possible)", and V得了 as "can (can succeed in doing/finishing it despite specific challenges)".V不了 with every verb?- Stative verbs like
是 (shì)("to be"),有 (yǒu)("to have"),在 (zài)("to be at"). These verbs describe states, not actions with a culminative result. - Pure mental verbs like
知道 (zhīdào)("to know"),喜欢 (xǐhuān)("to like"), unless they are part of a compound verb that implies a cognitive result (e.g.,想得开 (xiǎngdékāi)- can be open-minded;看得惯 (kàndéguàn)- can get used to seeing). - Verbs that don't logically lead to a quantifiable result when combined with
了 (liǎo)in this specific sense. For instance, you wouldn't say哭了了(kūliǎo liǎo) for "can't finish crying" unless implying a specific context like "can't stop crying" (停不了哭). The verb must logically allow for a resultant state or completion.
V得了/不了 relate to other resultative complements, like V得/不懂 or V得/不完?得了/不了 is a type of potential complement, where 了 (liǎo) acts as the specific resultative complement meaning "to finish/manage." The structure V-得/不-RC/DC is the general pattern for all potential complements. So, V得/不懂 (懂 (dǒng) meaning understand) and V得/不完 (完 (wán) meaning finish) are simply other specific instances of the potential complement construction. They follow the exact same grammatical rules but use different resultative components to specify the outcome.听不懂 (tīngbùdǒng)- Cannot understand (result: understanding).写不完 (xiěbùwán)- Cannot finish writing (result: finishing).吃不了 (chībùliǎo)- Cannot finish eating (result: finishing/managing).
你去得了去不了？ (Nǐ qùdéliǎo qùbù liǎo?) is grammatically correct and directly uses the A-not-A form, it can sometimes sound a bit formal or emphatic. In everyday conversation, other forms are often more common or natural, depending on the nuance:- For general ability/permission:
你能去吗？(Nǐ néng qù ma?) or你能不能去？(Nǐ néng bù néng qù?). These are versatile and common for simple inquiries. - For specific feasibility given circumstances:
你今天去得了吗？(Nǐ jīntiān qùdéliǎo ma?) - "Can you go today?" (Asking if current circumstances, e.g., schedule or health, allow you to make it.) This is perfectly natural when inquiring about potential obstacles. The choice depends on whether you're asking about fundamental ability/permission or practical feasibility in a given situation.
得了/不了?受不了 (shòubùliǎo)- "Cannot stand/bear it." (Very common for emotional or physical discomfort, or extreme annoyance.)忘不了 (wàngbùliǎo)- "Cannot forget." (Often used for memorable experiences, people, or events.)好得了 (hǎodéliǎo)or好不了 (hǎobùliǎo)- "Can get well" or "Cannot get well." (Used for health recovery or mending situations.)过得了日子 (guòdéliǎo rìzi)or过不了日子 (guòbùliǎo rìzi)- "Can manage to live/make a living" or "Cannot manage to live." (Referring to sustaining one's life or household, especially under financial or emotional strain.)
Potential Complement Structure
| Type | Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + 得 + Complement
|
听得懂
|
Can understand
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + 不 + Complement
|
听不懂
|
Cannot understand
|
|
Question
|
Verb + 得 + Comp + Verb + 不 + Comp
|
听得懂听不懂
|
Can you understand?
|
|
Directional
|
Verb + 得/不 + Direction
|
拿得出来
|
Can take out
|
|
Resultative
|
Verb + 得/不 + Result
|
看得见
|
Can see
|
|
Potential
|
Verb + 得/不 + 了
|
吃得了
|
Can handle/eat
|
Meanings
The potential complement describes whether the result of an action is achievable or possible given external conditions.
Physical Ability
Expressing if a physical action is possible.
“我{爬|pá}{得|de}{上|shàng}这{座|zuò}{山|shān}。”
“他{跑|pǎo}{不|bù}{动|dòng}了。”
Cognitive Understanding
Expressing if one can understand or process information.
“我{看|kàn}{得|de}{懂|dǒng}这{本|běn}{书|shū}。”
“他{听|tīng}{不|bù}{清|qīng}老{师|shī}{说|shuō}{什|shén}{么|me}。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + 得 + Complement
|
看得见
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + 不 + Complement
|
看不见
|
|
Question
|
Verb + 得 + Comp + 不 + Comp
|
看得见看不见
|
|
Short Answer (Yes)
|
Verb + 得 + Complement
|
看得见
|
|
Short Answer (No)
|
Verb + 不 + Complement
|
看不见
|
Formality Spectrum
我听不清楚。 (Communication)
我听不见。 (Communication)
听不清啊！ (Communication)
听不见！ (Communication)
Potential Complement Map
Affirmative
- 得 Can
Negative
- 不 Cannot
Examples by Level
我{看|kàn}{得|de}{见|jiàn}。
I can see it.
我{听|tīng}{不|bù}{见|jiàn}。
I cannot hear it.
你{看|kàn}{得|de}{见|jiàn}吗？
Can you see it?
我{找|zhǎo}{得|de}{到|dào}。
I can find it.
这{个|gè}{箱|xiāng}{子|zi}{放|fàng}{得|de}{下|xià}。
This box can fit in.
我{爬|pá}{不|bù}{上|shàng}去。
I cannot climb up.
你{听|tīng}{得|de}{懂|dǒng}吗？
Do you understand (what you hear)?
他{跑|pǎo}{得|de}{快|kuài}。
He can run fast.
这{本|běn}{书|shū}太{难|nán}了，我{看|kàn}{不|bù}{懂|dǒng}。
This book is too hard, I can't understand it.
我{把|bǎ}{门|mén}{锁|suǒ}{得|de}{上|shàng}。
I can lock the door.
你{吃|chī}{得|de}{完|wán}这{么|me}{多|duō}{吗|ma}？
Can you finish eating this much?
这{个|gè}{字|zì}我{写|xiě}{不|bù}{出|chū}{来|lái}。
I can't write this character out.
由{于|yú}{噪|zào}{音|yīn}太{大|dà}，我{根|gēn}{本|běn}{听|tīng}{不|bù}{清|qīng}。
Due to the noise, I can't hear clearly at all.
这{个|gè}{计|jì}{划|huà}{实|shí}{施|shī}{得|de}{下|xià}{去|qù}吗？
Can this plan be implemented?
他{太|tài}{累|lèi}了，已{经|jīng}{走|zǒu}{不|bù}{动|dòng}了。
He is too tired, he can't walk anymore.
我{觉|jué}{得|de}这{个|gè}{问|wèn}{题|tí}{解|jiě}{决|jué}{得|de}{了|liǎo}。
I think this problem can be solved.
这{种|zhǒng}{情|qíng}{况|kuàng}下，我{实|shí}{在|zài}{忍|rěn}{受|shòu}{不|bù}{了|liǎo}。
In this situation, I really cannot endure it.
他{说|shuō}{的|de}{话|huà}我{完|wán}{全|quán}{理|lǐ}{解|jiě}{得|de}{透|tòu}。
I can fully understand what he said.
这{项|xiàng}{技|jì}{术|shù}{难|nán}{度|dù}{太|tài}{高|gāo}，短{期|qī}{内|nèi}{研|yán}{发|fā}{不|bù}{出|chū}{来|lái}。
This technology is too difficult; it cannot be developed in the short term.
我{想|xiǎng}{这|zhè}{个|gè}{项|xiàng}{目|mù}{推|tuī}{进|jìn}{得|de}{下|xià}{去|qù}。
I think this project can be pushed forward.
这{种|zhǒng}{古|gǔ}{文|wén}，即{便|biàn}{是|shì}{专|zhuān}{家|jiā}也{未|wèi}{必|bì}{读|dú}{得|de}{通|tōng}。
Even experts might not be able to read this kind of ancient text fluently.
他{那|nà}{种|zhǒng}{傲|ào}{慢|màn}{的|de}{态|tài}{度|dù}，我{真|zhēn}{是|shì}{看|kàn}{不|bù}{下|xià}{去|qù}。
I really can't stand his arrogant attitude.
这{样|yàng}{的|de}{局|jú}{面|miàn}，谁{也|yě}{扭|niǔ}{转|zhuǎn}{不|bù}{过|guò}{来|lái}。
No one can turn this situation around.
他{的|de}{才|cái}{华|huá}{，不|bù}{是|shì}{随|suí}{便|biàn}{谁|shéi}{都|dōu}{比|bǐ}{得|de}{上|shàng}{的|de}。
His talent is not something just anyone can match.
Easily Confused
Both translate to 'can' in English.
They share the same character.
They look similar.
Common Mistakes
我会看得见
我看得见
我看得
我看得见
我得看
我看得见
我不看得见
我看不见
我跑得快
我跑得快
我听懂不
我听不懂
我吃得完吗？
你吃得完吗？
我解决得
我解决得了
他爬不上
他爬不上来
我看得懂书
我看得懂这本书
我忍受不了
我忍受不了
我研发得出
我研发得出来
我扭转不过
我扭转不过来
Sentence Patterns
我___得___。
这___得___吗？
因为___，所以我___。
对于___，我___。
Real World Usage
这电影太好看了，我看不下去。
听得见吗？
我能完成这个项目，我做得到。
这儿放得下我的行李吗？
这儿吃得完吗？
老师，我听不懂。
Focus on the Result
Don't use 会
Use for Logistics
Be Direct
Smart Tips
Check if it's a skill (会) or a situation (potential complement).
Try adding '得' or '不' to turn it into a potential complement.
Use '听不清' to express the situational limit.
Use '解决得了' to sound professional.
Pronunciation
得 (de)
In potential complements, '得' is pronounced as a neutral tone 'de'.
不 (bu)
In potential complements, '不' is pronounced as a fourth tone 'bù'.
Question intonation
看得见看不见？↗
Rising tone at the end for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '得' as a 'bridge' that connects the verb to the result. If the bridge is broken ('不'), you can't reach the result.
Visual Association
Imagine a person trying to reach a shelf. If they can reach it, they put a '得' sticker on it. If they can't, they put a '不' sticker.
Rhyme
得 (de) is for can, 不 (bu) is for not, put them in the middle, and you've got the plot.
Story
Xiao Wang is hungry. He sees a huge bowl of noodles. He asks, '吃得完吗?' (Can I finish it?). He looks at the size and realizes, '吃不完' (I can't finish it). He decides to share.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room and say 5 things you can or cannot do (e.g., 'I can open the door' -> 我打得开门).
Cultural Notes
Very common in daily life for expressing logistics.
Similar usage, but sometimes uses '得' (dé) more frequently in specific regional phrases.
Often map this to '到' (dou) in Cantonese.
The potential complement evolved from resultative compounds in Middle Chinese.
Conversation Starters
你听得懂中文吗？
这儿坐得下五个人吗？
你觉得这个任务完成得了吗？
你对这个改变怎么看，你接受得了吗？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
我听___懂。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
我会看得见。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I can't see it.
Answer starts with: 我看不...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Use '走' and '动'.
Can you hear me?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises我听___懂。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
我会看得见。
得 / 听 / 懂 / 我
I can't see it.
Match '吃得完' with its meaning.
Use '走' and '动'.
Can you hear me?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThis trip was amazing. I ___ (forget-not-able) it.
You want to say 'I can't access the internet' (connection failed).
Match the phrase to the context.
Reorder: {了} / {做} / {我} / {不} / {这}
The suitcase is too heavy, I ___ (take/carry-not-able).
Context: You don't know how to speak Chinese. Sentence: 我说不了中文。
What is the tone of 了 in 受不了?
Translate: 'It's too hot, I can't stand it!'
Don't worry, I ___ (can do) it.
Difference between 跑不动 and 跑不了?
Tonight I have to study, so I ___ (go-not-able) to the movies.
我吃得了吗？ (Am I able to eat?)
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Sometimes, but '能' is a modal verb and '得' is a complement marker. They have different grammatical roles.
In '吃得了', '了' (liǎo) is part of the complement, not the aspect marker.
Yes, but often with more complex verbs like '解决得了'.
You must learn the resultative complements first. They are the building blocks.
The structure is the same, but some vocabulary choices might differ.
Only with verbs that can take a resultative or directional complement.
Use '不' between the verb and the complement.
Using '会' instead of the potential complement.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Poder + Infinitive
Word order and placement of the potential marker.
Pouvoir + Infinitive
Chinese does not use a modal verb for this.
Können + Infinitive
Chinese structure is post-verbal.
Potential form of verb
Japanese is inflectional; Chinese is analytic.
يستطيع (yastati'u) + Verb
Arabic is pre-verbal.
Verb + 得/不 + Complement
N/A
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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