Asking "Can you?" with Potential Complements
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'Verb + 得/不 + Complement' to ask if someone has the ability or condition to finish an action.
- Use 'Verb + 得 + Complement' for affirmative ability (e.g., {听得懂|tīng de dǒng} - can understand).
- Use 'Verb + 不 + Complement' for negative inability (e.g., {听不懂|tīng bù dǒng} - cannot understand).
- Use 'Verb + 得 + Complement + 吗?' to ask if the action is possible (e.g., {看得见吗|kàn de jiàn ma}?).
Overview
In Chinese grammar, expressing whether an action can achieve a particular result is fundamental. Unlike English, where you might simply add "can" before a verb, Chinese frequently integrates this possibility directly into the verb structure. This grammatical pattern is known as the Potential Complement.
Specifically, when you ask "Can you do it?" or "Is it possible to achieve X?", you're using the Potential Complement Question Form. This structure is used to inquire about the feasibility, capacity, or achievability of an action's outcome, rather than general ability or permission. It allows for a precise query: "Will the action Verb successfully lead to the Result Complement?"
Consider situations like asking if someone can hear you, if they can understand a lecture, or if a dish is even possible to finish. These are all perfect scenarios for the potential complement question. This construction makes your Chinese sound more natural and native, providing a nuanced distinction that 能 (néng) or 可以 (kěyǐ) alone cannot always capture.
At its core, this structure assesses the potential for a specific outcome.
How This Grammar Works
得 (de) (sometimes referred to as dé in this specific grammatical context, though de is more common when explaining the structure) and its negative counterpart 不 (bù). These particles act as a bridge between a main verb and a Result Complement (RC), indicating whether the result of the action is achievable or not. For questions, 得 (de) signifies that the result can be achieved, while 不 (bù) signals that it cannot.吃饱 (chī bǎo) (eat until full), 饱 (bǎo) is the result complement.看见 (kàn jiàn) (see and perceive), 见 (jiàn) is the result complement. When you introduce 得 (de) or 不 (bù) between the main verb and its result complement, you transform the statement from describing a result to commenting on the potential of achieving that result.得 (de) is inserted, it creates Verb + 得 + Result Complement, indicating that the action can achieve the specified result. Conversely, Verb + 不 + Result Complement indicates that the action cannot achieve the result. For instance, 吃得饱 (chī de bǎo) means "can eat until full," while 吃不饱 (chī bu bǎo) means "cannot eat until full." The 得 (de) particle here does not carry a lexical meaning of "can" or "able to"; instead, it functions purely as a grammatical marker of positive potential, linking the verb to its achievable result.你看懂了 (Nǐ kàn dǒng le) means "You understood (by watching/reading)." This is a statement of fact about a completed action. However, 你看得懂 (Nǐ kàn de dǒng) means "You can understand (by watching/reading)." This shifts the focus from a past result to a present potential. The presence of 得 (de) makes all the difference, transforming a simple result into a statement about its attainability.得 and when to omit it.看 (kàn) (see) | 见 (jiàn) (perceive) | 看见 (kàn jiàn) (see/spot) | 看得见 (kàn de jiàn) | 看不见 (kàn bu jiàn) |听 (tīng) (listen) | 懂 (dǒng) (understand) | 听懂 (tīng dǒng) (understand by listening) | 听得懂 (tīng de dǒng) | 听不懂 (tīng bu dǒng) |吃 (chī) (eat) | 完 (wán) (finish) | 吃完 (chī wán) (finish eating) | 吃得完 (chī de wán) | 吃不完 (chī bu wán) |找 (zhǎo) (look for) | 到 (dào) (reach/obtain) | 找到 (zhǎo dào) (find) | 找得到 (zhǎo de dào) | 找不到 (zhǎo bu dào) |得 or 不 nestled between them to indicate possibility.Formation Pattern
吗 (ma) or the affirmative-negative (A-not-A) construction. Both methods inquire about the achievability of a result, but the A-not-A form can sometimes convey a slightly more direct or expectant tone.
吗 (ma) Method (General Question)
吗 (ma) at the end of the sentence.
Verb + 得 + Result Complement + (Object) + 吗？
Verb + 得 + Result Complement phrase, or it can be placed at the very beginning of the sentence as a topic.
得 + RC | 看得见 | kàn de jiàn | can see |
吗 | 吗？ | ma? | ? |
看得见吗？ | Kàn de jiàn ma? | Can you see (it)? |
听得懂老师的话吗？ | Tīng de dǒng lǎoshī de huà ma? | Can you understand the teacher's words? |
那本书你买得到吗？ | Nà běn shū nǐ mǎi de dào ma? | That book, can you buy it (successfully)? |
这个房间看得见外面吗？ (Zhège fángjiān kàn de jiàn wàimiàn ma?) – Can this room see outside (is the view clear)?
今天的作业你写得完吗？ (Jīntiān de zuòyè nǐ xiě de wán ma?) – Can you finish today's homework?
这么吵的地方你听得见我说话吗？ (Zhème chǎo de dìfang nǐ tīng de jiàn wǒ shuōhuà ma?) – In such a noisy place, can you hear me speak?
吗 (ma) question.
Verb + 得 + Result Complement + Verb + 不 + Result Complement？
吗 (ma) form, the Object comes after the complement phrase or topicalized at the beginning.
得 + RC (Positive) | 听得懂 | tīng de dǒng | can understand |
不 + RC (Negative) | 听不懂 | tīng bu dǒng | cannot understand |
听得懂听不懂？ | Tīng de dǒng tīng bu dǒng? | Can you understand or not? |
这些汉字你认得出来认不出来？ | Zhèxiē hànzì nǐ rèn de chūlái rèn bu chūlái? | These characters, can you recognize them or not? |
那么远的地方他看得见看不见？ | Nàme yuǎn de dìfang tā kàn de jiàn kàn bu jiàn? | That far place, can he see (it) or not? |
你吃得完吃不完？ (Nǐ chī de wán chī bu wán?) – Can you finish eating or not?
外面太黑了，你看得清看不清？ (Wàimiàn tài hēi le, nǐ kàn de qīng kàn bu qīng?) – It's too dark outside, can you see clearly or not?
这个新的软件，你学得会学不会？ (Zhège xīn de ruǎnjiàn, nǐ xué de huì xué bu huì?) – This new software, can you learn it or not?
Verb can sometimes be omitted if the Result Complement is identical to the first Result Complement and there's no ambiguity (e.g., 听得懂不懂?). However, for A1 learners, it is always safer and clearer to use the full Verb + 得 + RC + Verb + 不 + RC form to avoid confusion.
Verb + 得 + Result Complement phrase. For instance, 你看得懂这本书吗？ (Nǐ kàn de dǒng zhè běn shū ma?) (Can you understand this book?).
这本书你看得懂吗？ (Zhè běn shū nǐ kàn de dǒng ma?) (This book, can you understand it?). Never place the object between the verb and 得 or between 得 and the result complement.
When To Use It
- Sensory Perception (Can you see/hear/smell/taste it?):
这里的光线不好，你看得清楚吗？ (Zhèlǐ de guāngxiàn bù hǎo, nǐ kàn de qīngchǔ ma?)– The lighting here is bad, can you see clearly?我说话声音小，你听得见吗？ (Wǒ shuōhuà shēngyīn xiǎo, nǐ tīng de jiàn ma?)– My voice is quiet, can you hear me?这么远，你闻得到花香吗？ (Zhème yuǎn, nǐ wén de dào huāxiāng ma?)– It’s so far, can you smell the flowers?
- Cognitive Understanding (Can you understand/recognize it?):
老师说得太快，你听得懂吗？ (Lǎoshī shuō de tài kuài, nǐ tīng de dǒng ma?)– The teacher speaks too fast, can you understand?这些旧照片你认得出来是谁吗？ (Zhèxiē jiù zhàopiàn nǐ rèn de chūlái shì shéi ma?)– These old photos, can you recognize who they are?这本书很难，你读得懂吗？ (Zhè běn shū hěn nán, nǐ dú de dǒng ma?)– This book is very difficult, can you read and understand it?
- Completion or Achievement (Can you finish/get/succeed?):
这么多菜，我们吃得完吗？ (Zhème duō cài, wǒmen chī de wán ma?)– So many dishes, can we finish eating them?你想买的那张票，现在还买得到吗？ (Nǐ xiǎng mǎi de nà zhāng piào, xiànzài hái mǎi de dào ma?)– That ticket you want to buy, can you still get it now?这个工作你一个人做得了吗？ (Zhège gōngzuò nǐ yīgè rén zuò de liǎo ma?)– This job, can you do it by yourself (successfully)?
- Physical Feasibility/Capacity (Can you move it/carry it?):
这个箱子太重了，你拿得动吗？ (Zhège xiāngzi tài zhòng le, nǐ ná de dòng ma?)– This box is too heavy, can you lift it?我的行李太多了，这个车装得下吗？ (Wǒ de xínglǐ tài duō le, zhège chē zhuāng de xià ma?)– I have too much luggage, can this car fit it?
- Contrast with
能 (néng)and可以 (kěyǐ):
能 (néng) and 可以 (kěyǐ) generally ask about permission, general ability, or availability of conditions. The potential complement asks about the achievability of a result.你能去吗？ (Nǐ néng qù ma?)– Can you go? (Are you allowed to? Do you have time? Are you physically capable of the act of going?)你走得了吗？ (Nǐ zǒu de liǎo ma?)– Can you leave? (Is it physically possible to depart now? Are there obstacles preventing your departure?)
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing
得 (de)with能 (néng)/可以 (kěyǐ):
能 (néng) and 可以 (kěyǐ) translate to "can," they primarily indicate permission, general ability, or objective possibility (conditions allowing). The potential complement, however, is about the subjective or objective achievability of a specific result through an action. Adding 能 (néng) or 可以 (kěyǐ) before a potential complement is usually redundant and often sounds awkward, like saying "can be able to do."- Incorrect:
你能不能看得见吗？ (Nǐ néng bù néng kàn de jiàn ma?)– This is a "double can." If you use能or可以, you shouldn't combine it directly withVerb + 得 + RCunless you intend to specifically emphasize both a general ability and the result's achievability, which is rare for A1. - Correct:
你看得见吗？ (Nǐ kàn de jiàn ma?)– Can you see (perceive)? (Focus on result) - Correct:
你能来吗？ (Nǐ néng lái ma?)– Can you come? (Focus on general ability/permission).
- 1Incorrect Negation with
没 (méi):
不 (bù) for negation, never 没 (méi). 没 (méi) is reserved for negating past actions or the existence of something. Asking about potential is always about a present or future possibility.- Incorrect:
你听得懂没？ (Nǐ tīng de dǒng méi?) - Correct:
你听得懂听不懂？ (Nǐ tīng de dǒng tīng bu dǒng?) - Correct:
你听得懂吗？ (Nǐ tīng de dǒng ma?)
- 1Misplacing the Object:
得 (de), or between 得 (de) and the result complement. This is a rigid structure.- Incorrect:
你吃得饭完吗？ (Nǐ chī de fàn wán ma?)(The object饭 (fàn)is in the wrong place). - Correct:
你吃得完饭吗？ (Nǐ chī de wán fàn ma?)(Object after the complement phrase). - Correct:
饭你吃得完吗？ (Fàn nǐ chī de wán ma?)(Object topicalized at the beginning).
- 1Using Potential Complements with Verbs Lacking a Clear Result:
- Incorrect:
你跑得快吗？ (Nǐ pǎo de kuài ma?)– While快 (kuài)is an adjective,跑 (pǎo)doesn't have a result like完 (wán)or懂 (dǒng). Here,得 (de)is a descriptive complement (跑得很快 (pǎo de hěn kuài)– runs very fast), which is a different grammar point. For speed or general ability, you'd use能or会. - Correct:
你会游泳吗？ (Nǐ huì yóuyǒng ma?)– Can you swim? (游泳 (yóuyǒng)– to swim, is a skill, not an action with a potential complement result).
- 1Confusing with Simple Result Complements (
V + RC + 了):
得 (de) is the key differentiator for potential. Without it, you are merely stating that a result occurred in the past (了 (le)) or will occur.你看懂了吗？ (Nǐ kàn dǒng le ma?)– Did you understand (by reading/watching)? (Asks about a completed action/result).你看得懂吗？ (Nǐ kàn de dǒng ma?)– Can you understand (by reading/watching)? (Asks about potential).
V + RC + 了 when they mean to ask about potential, losing the nuanced meaning.Real Conversations
In everyday Chinese, potential complement questions are ubiquitous, especially when interacting with others about their capabilities or external conditions. They reflect a natural way of assessing feasibility. Here are examples in realistic contexts:
Scenario 1
- A: 服务员，这些菜我们两个人吃得完吗？ (Fúwùyuán, zhèxiē cài wǒmen liǎng gè rén chī de wán ma?)
(Waiter, can the two of us finish all these dishes?)
- B: 放心，吃得完。 (Fàngxīn, chī de wán.)
(Don't worry, you can finish them.)
Scenario 2
- A: 喂？你听得见我说话吗？ (Wéi? Nǐ tīng de jiàn wǒ shuōhuà ma?)
(Hello? Can you hear me speak?)
- B: 不太清楚，你再说一遍听得清吗？ (Bù tài qīngchǔ, nǐ zài shuō yī biàn tīng de qīng ma?)
(Not very clear, if you say it again, will I be able to hear clearly?)
Scenario 3
- A: 这篇课文很难，你翻译得懂吗？ (Zhè piān kèwén hěn nán, nǐ fānyì de dǒng ma?)
(This text is very difficult, can you translate and understand it?)
- B: 有点儿难，我看得懂一些，但不是全部。 (Yǒudiǎnr nán, wǒ kàn de dǒng yīxiē, dàn bù shì quánbù.)
(It's a bit hard. I can understand some, but not all.)
Scenario 4
- A: 火车站人太多了，你找得到我吗？ (Huǒchēzhàn rén tài duō le, nǐ zhǎo de dào wǒ ma?)
(The train station has too many people, can you find me?)
- B: 你告诉我你在哪个出口，我就找得到。 (Nǐ gàosù wǒ nǐ zài nǎge chūkǒu, wǒ jiù zhǎo de dào.)
(If you tell me which exit you're at, then I can find you.)
These examples illustrate that the potential complement question isn't just for textbooks. It's a natural, efficient way to check on the practical outcomes of actions in daily life. Native speakers use these structures to confirm if a result is practically achievable under current circumstances, often implying a concern for external conditions or inherent difficulty, not just someone's personal skill level.
Quick FAQ
- Q: Can I use
Verb + 得 + Result Complementfor any verb?
No. It's only for verbs that can logically combine with a Result Complement to express a specific, achievable outcome. For example, you can't say 喜欢得懂 (xǐhuān de dǒng) because 喜欢 (xǐhuān) (to like) doesn't have a result that 懂 (dǒng) could describe. If a verb doesn't have a natural result complement, you likely cannot form a potential complement with it.
- Q: What if I just say
V + 吗？ (V ma?)?
V + 吗？ simply asks if you are doing the action or want to do the action. For instance, 吃吗？ (Chī ma?) means "Are you eating?" or "Do you want to eat?" It does not inquire about the ability to complete or achieve a result from the action. For that, you absolutely need the potential complement structure like 吃得完吗？ (Chī de wán ma?).
- Q: Is the A-not-A question form (
V + 得 + RC + V + 不 + RC?) rude?
Not at all. It's a very common and natural way to ask. It can sometimes sound more direct or emphasize the need for a clear yes/no answer, but it's not considered impolite. It's functionally similar to asking "Can you or can't you?" in English without the added aggressive tone.
- Q: When should I use
得 (de)vs.不 (bù)in potential complements?
得 (de) indicates positive potential (the result can be achieved). 不 (bù) indicates negative potential (the result cannot be achieved). For questions, you'll use 得 in the positive part of the question (看得见吗？ or 看得见看不见？). When answering negatively, you'll use 不 (看不见。).
- Q: Why is it important to learn this structure, especially for beginners?
Mastering the potential complement system, even at A1, immediately makes your Chinese sound more nuanced and native. It demonstrates an understanding of how Chinese expresses possibility beyond simple 能 (néng) or 可以 (kěyǐ). It’s especially practical for common daily interactions like asking for clarification (听得懂吗？), verifying perception (看得见吗？), or assessing practical tasks (做得完吗？), which are all essential for basic communication.
- Q: Can I shorten the A-not-A form, like
听得懂不懂？ (Tīng de dǒng bu dǒng?)?
Yes, you often hear this shortening in colloquial speech, where the second verb is omitted if it's clear from context. However, for A1 learners, it's recommended to stick to the full form (听得懂听不懂？) to ensure clarity and avoid potential confusion. As you become more comfortable, you can naturally pick up the shortened version.
- Q: Does
得 (de)have a special tone here?
In this grammatical context, 得 is almost always pronounced in the neutral tone (de). While 得 can also be pronounced dé (meaning 'to get/obtain') or děi (meaning 'must'), for the potential complement structure, it's consistently de.
Potential Complement Formation
| Type | Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + 得 + Complement
|
看得见
|
Can see
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + 不 + Complement
|
看不见
|
Cannot see
|
|
Question
|
Verb + 得 + Complement + 吗
|
看得见吗
|
Can you see?
|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + 得 + Complement
|
听得懂
|
Can understand
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + 不 + Complement
|
听不懂
|
Cannot understand
|
|
Question
|
Verb + 得 + Complement + 吗
|
听得懂吗
|
Can you understand?
|
Meanings
This structure expresses the possibility or impossibility of achieving a result through an action.
Physical Ability
Can the action be performed physically?
“你{爬得上去|pá de shàng qù}吗？”
“我{走不动|zǒu bù dòng}了。”
Cognitive Understanding
Can the information be processed?
“你{看得懂|kàn de dǒng}这本书吗？”
“我{听得懂|tīng de dǒng}中文。”
Environmental/Situational
Is the environment allowing the action?
“这里{坐得下|zuò de xià}五个人吗？”
“这辆车{装得下|zhuāng de xià}这么多东西吗？”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
V + 得 + C
|
做得完
|
|
Negative
|
V + 不 + C
|
做不完
|
|
Question
|
V + 得 + C + 吗
|
做得完吗
|
|
Negative Question
|
V + 得 + C + 不 + V + C
|
做得完做不完
|
|
Ability
|
V + 得 + C
|
买得起
|
|
Inability
|
V + 不 + C
|
买不起
|
Formality Spectrum
能否完成？ (Work task)
做得完吗？ (Work task)
做得完吗？ (Work task)
搞得定吗？ (Work task)
Potential Complement Map
Physical
- 拿得动 can lift
Cognitive
- 听得懂 can understand
Spatial
- 坐得下 can fit in
Examples by Level
我{看得见|kàn de jiàn}。
I can see.
我{听不见|tīng bù jiàn}。
I cannot hear.
他{来得及|lái de jí}吗？
Can he make it in time?
我{吃不完|chī bù wán}。
I cannot finish eating.
你{听得懂|tīng de dǒng}中文吗？
Can you understand Chinese?
这个字我{写不出来|xiě bù chū lái}。
I cannot write this character.
我们{走得回去|zǒu de huí qù}吗？
Can we walk back?
他{买得起|mǎi de qǐ}这辆车。
He can afford this car.
这个房间{住得下|zhù de xià}三个人吗？
Can this room fit three people?
这件衣服我{穿得进去|chuān de jìn qù}吗？
Can I fit into this piece of clothing?
工作太多，我{做不完|zuò bù wán}。
There is too much work, I cannot finish it.
你{记得住|jì de zhù}这些生词吗？
Can you remember these new words?
虽然很忙，但我还是{挤得出|jǐ de chū}时间。
Although busy, I can still squeeze out some time.
这个计划{执行得下去|zhíxíng de xià qù}吗？
Can this plan be executed?
他{说得清楚|shuō de qīngchǔ}这件事吗？
Can he explain this matter clearly?
这台机器{修得好|xiū de hǎo}吗？
Can this machine be repaired?
这种复杂的情况，恐怕没人{预料得到|yùliào de dào}。
In such a complex situation, I fear no one could have foreseen it.
他的理论{推导得出来|tuīdǎo de chū lái}吗？
Can his theory be derived?
我们{协调得好|xiétiáo de hǎo}各方利益吗？
Can we coordinate the interests of all parties well?
这不仅是能力问题，更是{承受得住|chéngshòu de zhù}压力的问题。
This is not just a matter of ability, but of whether one can withstand the pressure.
此等变故，实非凡人所能{掌控得住|zhǎngkòng de zhù}。
Such changes are truly beyond what an ordinary person can control.
其意蕴深远，非浅尝辄止者所能{领悟得透|lǐngwù de tòu}。
The meaning is profound; it cannot be fully grasped by those who only dabble.
即便竭尽全力，亦未必{扭转得过来|niǔzhuǎn de guòlái}。
Even if one tries their best, it might not be possible to turn things around.
此局势{演变得下去|yǎnbiàn de xià qù}吗？
Can this situation continue to evolve?
Easily Confused
Learners use '能' for everything.
Learners mix up the particles.
They look similar.
Common Mistakes
能看
看得见
看得
看得见
不看得见
看不见
能听懂
听得懂
做得完吗
做得完吗
买得
买得起
能吃完吗
吃得完吗
住得下吗
住得下吗
走得回去吗
走得回去吗
记得住吗
记得住吗
预料得到吗
预料得到吗
推导得出来吗
推导得出来吗
协调得好吗
协调得好吗
Sentence Patterns
你___得___吗？
我___不___。
这个地方___得下___个人吗？
虽然很难，但我___得___。
Real World Usage
这么多，我吃得完吗？
老师，我听得懂。
这件衣服我穿得进去吗？
这个任务我做不完。
我们来得及去机场吗？
这书太难，看不下去！
Focus on the Result
Don't use '能'
Use with '吗'
Be direct
Smart Tips
Check if you are talking about a result. If yes, use V+不+C.
The second verb is likely the complement.
Add '吗' at the end of the V+得+C structure.
Use '下' for space, '起' for money.
Pronunciation
Neutral Tone
The 'de' in '得' is always neutral tone.
Question
V + 得 + C + 吗? ↑
Rising intonation at the end.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '得' as a green light (Go!) and '不' as a red light (Stop!).
Visual Association
Imagine a door. If you can fit, you see a green '得' sign. If you are too big, you see a red '不' sign.
Rhyme
得 is for yes, 不 is for no, put them in the middle to let the meaning flow.
Story
Xiao Wang tries to enter a tiny room. He pushes (verb). He fits (得). He says '我进得去!'. Then he tries to fit a giant sofa. It doesn't fit (不). He says '装不进去!'.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room and say 3 things you can do (e.g., 'I can open the door') and 3 things you cannot do (e.g., 'I cannot lift the table') using this structure.
Cultural Notes
Very common in daily life to express limits.
Similar usage, often slightly more relaxed.
Often influenced by English, but the structure remains standard.
Derived from classical resultative structures.
Conversation Starters
你今天做得完工作吗？
这个电影你听得懂吗？
你觉得这辆车买得起吗？
在这个城市，你觉得生活得下去吗？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
我听___懂。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
能看得见吗？
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I cannot finish.
Answer starts with: a...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 你看得懂吗？ B: ___
Use '走' and '回去'.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises我听___懂。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
能看得见吗？
得 / 听 / 懂 / 我
I cannot finish.
Match '买得起'.
A: 你看得懂吗？ B: ___
Use '走' and '回去'.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercises你听___懂吗？ (Can you understand?)
How do you ask: 'Can you buy it?' (Is it available?)
这本 / 你 / 看 / 书 / 吗 / 得 / 完
Match the phrases:
Which sentence is WRONG?
Can you see clearly?
声音太小了，我听___见。
Q: 你做得完吗？ (Can you finish?) A: ___ (No, I can't.)
得 / 吗 / 你 / 回 / 去 / 家
我走得不动了。 (I can't walk anymore.)
How to ask 'Can you find it or not?'
吃得起吗？
没有眼镜，我___清楚。
Score: /13
FAQ (8)
Use '能' for permission/general ability. Use '得' for the result of an action.
Most verbs can take a potential complement, but the complement must make sense.
In this structure, it is always the neutral particle 'de'.
Yes, but be careful with the choice of complement.
The sentence will be incomplete. You need the result.
Replace '得' with '不'.
The structure is standard across Mandarin-speaking regions.
Potential complements are usually about the present or future.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Poder + infinitive
Chinese potential complements focus on the result of the action.
Pouvoir + infinitive
Chinese requires a complement to specify the outcome.
Können + infinitive
Chinese structure is more specific to the result.
Potential verb form
Chinese potential is a multi-word structure.
Istata'a + an + verb
Chinese uses a particle-based complement system.
Potential Complement
It is the standard way to express resultative potential.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Chinese Potential Complements: Can you reach the result? (V + 得 + R)
Overview Chinese grammar often emphasizes the **result** of an action as much as the action itself. This focus is perfec...
Cannot Do It: Chinese Negative Potential Complements (V + 不 + Result)
Overview As a learner navigating the Chinese language, you'll quickly discover that directly translating English grammat...
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Ready & Done: Using 'hǎo' (好) as a Result
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The 'Finished' Word: Verb + 完 (wán)
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Success Markers: Using 到 (dào) for Results
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Result Complement '住' (zhù): Fixing things in place
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Cannot Do It: Chinese Negative Potential Complements (V + 不 + Result)
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