Difference between revisions of "Advanced potential complements"

 
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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
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You may have a handle on the typical [[potential complement]]s, but there are a few other fairly common ones that you still need to master. Each is addressed separately here, but for all of them, the preceding character 得 (de) or 不 (bu) is pronounced in the [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/pronunciation/Neutral_tone neutral tone].
  
[[Category:**URGENT**]]
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== Verbs with -不了 and -得了 ==
 
 
== Verb with 不了 and 得了 ==
 
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
This is used to talk about whether or not you are able to do something." It is subtly different from using 不能 because 不了 usually suggests some external factor out of one's control.  
+
This pattern is used to talk about whether or not you are able to do something. It is subtly different from using "不能 + Verb" because "Verb + 不了" usually suggests some external factor out of one's control.  
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Verb + / 不 + 了
+
Verb + 得了 / 不了
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
Note that the character 了 here is pronounced "liǎo."
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
*他 那么 老 ,<strong>走</strong> <em>得 </em> 那么 多 路 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Tā nàme lǎo, <strong>zǒu</strong> <em>deliǎo</em> nàme duō lù ma?</span><span class="trans">He's so old. Will he be able to walk that far?</span>
*他 那么 老 ,走 <em>得</em> 那么 多 路 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Tā nàme lǎo, zǒu <em>de</em> liǎo nàme duō lù ma?</span><span class="trans">He's so old. Will he be able to walk that far?</span>
+
*今晚 我 有 事 ,<strong>去</strong> <em>不 </em> 。<span class="pinyin">Jīn wǎn yǒushì, <strong></strong> <em>buliǎo</em>.</span><span class="trans">I have things to do tonight. I won't be able to go.</span>
*今晚 我 有 事 ,去 <em>不</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Jīnwǎn yǒu shì, qù <em>bu</em> liǎo .</span><span class="trans">I have things to do tonight. I won't be able to go.</span>
+
*这 件 衣服 太 小 了 ,我 <strong>穿</strong> <em>不 </em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn yīfu tài xiǎo le, wǒ <strong>chuān</strong> <em>buliǎo</em>.</span><span class="trans">This piece of clothing is too small. I won't be able to wear it.</span>
*这 件 衣服 太 小 了 , 我 穿 <em>不</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn yīfu tài xiǎo le, wǒ chuān <em>bu</em> liǎo .</span><span class="trans">This piece of clothing is too small. I can't wear it.</span>
+
*这 件 事情 只 有 你 <strong></strong> <em>得 </em> 我 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn shìqing zhǐyǒu <strong>bāng</strong> <em>deliǎo</em> wǒ.</span><span class="trans">You're the only one who is able to help me with this.</span>
*这 件 事情 只 有 你 帮 <em>得</em> 我 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn shìqing zhī yǒu nǐ bāng <em>de</em> liǎo wǒ.</span><span class="trans">You're the only one who is able to help me with this.</span>
 
*他 没 什么 经验 ,处理 <em>不</em> 了 这样 的 问题 。<span class="trans">He doesn't have much experience. He is not able  deal with this kind of problem.</span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Verb with 不下 and 得下 ==
+
== Verbs with -不下 and -得下 ==
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
This is used to talk about whether or not something will fit or go somewhere. 常见的动词:放、坐、住、装、吃。
+
This is used to talk about whether or not something will fit or go somewhere. Commonly used with the verbs 放, 坐, 住, 装, 吃.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
Verb + 得下 / 不下
Verb + / 不 + 下
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Line 40: Line 36:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
*我 吃 饱 了 ,真的 <strong>吃</strong> <em>不 下</em> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ chī bǎo le, zhēn de <strong>chī</strong> <em>buxià</em> le.</span><span class="trans">I'm full. I don't feel like eating more.</span>
 +
*你 包 里 <strong>放</strong> <em>得 下 </em> 那么 多 东西 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ bāo li <strong>fàng</strong> <em>dexià</em> nàme duō dōngxi ma?</span><span class="trans">Can your bag hold that many things?</span>
 +
*我 的 车 太 小 ,<strong>坐</strong> <em>不 下</em> 五 个 人 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ de chē tài xiǎo, <strong>zuò</strong> <em>buxià</em> wǔ gèrén.</span><span class="trans">My car is too small. Five people will not fit in it.</span>
 +
*我 的 箱子 这么 大 ,肯定 <strong>装</strong> <em>得 下</em> 这些 衣服 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de xiāngzi zhème dà, kěndìng <strong>zhuāng</strong> <em>dexià</em> zhèxiē yīfu.</span><span class="trans">I'm sure my suitcase is big enough for these clothes.</span>
 +
</div>
  
*你 包 里 放 <em>得 下 </em> 那么 多 东西 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ bāo lǐ fàng <em>de xià</em> nàme duō dōngxi ma? </span><span class="trans"> .</span>
+
== Verbs with -不起 and -得起 ==  
*我 的 车 太 小 ,坐 <em>不 下</em> 五 个 人 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ de chē tài xiǎo, zuò <em>bu  xià</em> wǔ gè rén.</span><span class="trans">My car is too small. Five people can't fit in here.</span>
 
*我 的 瓶子 那么 大 ,肯定 装 <em>得 下</em> 两 杯 咖啡 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de píngzi nàme dà, kěndìng zhuāng <em>de xià</em> liǎng bēi kāfēi.</span><span class="trans"> .</span>
 
*你 家 住 <em>得 下 </em> 这么 多 人 吗 ? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ jiā zhù <em>de xià</em> zhème duō rén ma? </span><span class="trans"> .</span>
 
*我 吃 饱 了 ,真的 吃 <em>不 下</em> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ chī bǎo le, zhēnde chī <em>bu  xià</em> le.</span><span class="trans"> .</span>
 
  
</div>
+
This complement is related to being "able to afford" something or some cost. So -不起 means "can't afford to," and -得起 means "can afford to."
 
 
== Verb with 不起 and 得起 ==
 
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Verb + 得起 / 不起 + Obj.
 +
</div>
  
Verb + 得 / 不 + 起 + Obj.
+
=== Examples ===
  
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
*那 件 衣服 是 你 两 个 月 的 工资 ,<strong>买</strong> <em>得 起</em> 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nà jiàn yīfu shì nǐ liǎng gè yuè de gōngzī, <strong>mǎi</strong> <em>deqǐ</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">That piece of clothing is worth two months of your salary. Can you afford to buy it?</span>
 +
*这 家 餐厅 太 贵 了 ,我们 <strong>吃</strong> <em>不 起</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiā cāntīng tài guì le, wǒmen <strong>chī</strong> <em>buqǐ</em>.</span><span class="trans">This restaurant is too expensive. We can't afford to eat here.</span>
 +
*这里 房子 的 租金 最少 也 要 一 万 块 ,你 <strong>租</strong> <em>得 起</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Zhèlǐ fángzi de zūjīn zuìshǎo yě yào yī wàn kuài, nǐ <strong>zū</strong> <em>deqǐ</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">This apartment's rent is at least 10,000 RMB. Can you afford to rent it?</span>
 +
*很 多 人 不 生 二胎 不是 因为 不 想 要 ,是 因为 成本 太 高 ,<strong>养</strong> <em>不 起</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Hěn duō rén bù shēng èrtāi bù shì yīnwèi bù xiǎng yào, shì yīnwèi chéngběn tài gāo, <strong>yǎng</strong> <em>buqǐ</em>.</span><span class="trans">Many people don't have a second child not because they don't want to, but because costs are too high. They can't afford to raise another kid.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Examples ===
+
== Verbs with -不动 and -得动 ==
  
<div class="liju">
+
=== Structure ===
  
*那 件 衣服 是 你 两 个 月 的 工资 ,买 <em>得 起</em> 吗?<span class="trans">.</span>
+
The potential complement -不动 is used to indicate the lack of energy or physical strength required to do something. This can be used not only with actions like walking, running or climbing, but even actions like eating and chewing.
*这 家 餐厅 太 贵 了 ,我们 吃 <em>不 起</em> 。<span class="trans">.</span>
 
*这里 房子 的 租金 最少 也 要 一 万 块 ,你 租 <em>得 起</em> 吗 ?<span class="trans">.</span>
 
*很 多 人 不 生 二胎 不是 因为 不 想 要 ,是 因为 成本 太 高 ,养 <em>不 起</em> 。<span class="trans">.</span>
 
*输了 不 承认 ,还 发脾气 ,这 说明 你 输 <em>不 起</em>.<span class="trans">.</span>
 
  
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Verb + 得动 / 不动
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Verb with 不动 and 得动 ==
+
=== Examples ===
  
=== Structure ===
+
<div class="liju">
 +
*我 <strong>走</strong> <em>不 动</em> 了,我们 休息 一下 吧 !<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>zǒu</strong> <em>budòng</em> le, wǒmen xiūxí yīxià ba!</span><span class="trans">I can't keep going. I need to rest a bit.</span>
 +
*等等 我,我 <strong>跑</strong> <em>不 动</em> 了!<span class="pinyin">Děng děng wǒ, wǒ <strong>pǎo</strong> <em>budòng</em> le!</span><span class="trans">Wait for me. I can't keep running.</span>
 +
*孩子 真的 长大 了,妈妈 都 <strong>抱</strong> <em>不 动</em> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Háizi zhēn de zhǎngdà le, māma dōu <strong>bào</strong> <em>budòng</em> le.</span><span class="trans">The child is all grown up. His mother can't hold him anymore.</span>
 +
*这么 重 ,他 一个人 <strong>搬</strong> <em>得 动</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Zhème zhòng, tā yīgèrén <strong>bān</strong> <em>dedòng</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">It's so heavy. Can he move it by himself?</span>
 +
</div>
  
The potential complement 不动 is used to express lack of physical ability to do something. This can be used not only with actions like walking, running or climbing, but even actions like eating and chewing.
+
== Verbs with -不着 and -得着 ==
  
<div class="jiegou">
+
Similar to [[Result complements "-dao" and "-jian"|-到]], the complement -着 (zháo) can denote that someone's one's ability is up (or not) to the task in question.
  
Verb + 得 / 不 + 动
+
=== Structure ===
  
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Verb + 得着 / 不着
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
Note that the character 着 here is pronounced "zháo."
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
*太 高 了 ,我 <strong>够</strong> <em>不 着</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tài gāo le, wǒ <strong>gòu</strong> <em>buzháo</em>.</span><span class="trans">It's too high. I can't reach it.</span>
 +
*这么 吵 ,你 <strong>睡</strong> <em>得 着</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin>Zhème chǎo, nǐ <strong>shuì</strong> <em>dezháo</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">It's so noisy. Can you sleep?</span>
 +
*太 难 了 ,我 <strong>猜</strong> <em>不 着</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tài nán le, wǒ cāi bu zháo.</span><span class="trans">It's too hard. I can't guess.</span>
 +
</div>
 +
 +
This one is a little tricky, so find more examples in [[complement "-zhao"|-着's dedicated grammar point]].
  
*我 走 <em>不 动</em> 了,我们 休息 一下 吧 !<span class="trans">I can't keep going. I need to rest a bit.</span>
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== See also ==
*等等 我,我 爬 <em>不 动</em> 了!<span class="trans">Wait for me. I can't keep climbing.</span>
 
*你 才 九十 多 斤 ,我 背 <em>得 动</em> 你 。<span class="trans"> .</span>
 
*这个 箱子 里 只 有 一些 衣服 ,我 拿 <em>得 动</em>。<span class="trans">There are only a few clothes in the suitcase. I can carry it.</span>
 
*这么 重 ,他 一个人 搬 <em>得 动</em> 吗 ?<span class="trans">It's so heavy. Will he be able to move it?</span>
 
  
</div>
+
* [[Potential complement]]
 +
 
 +
== Sources and further reading ==
  
== See also ==
+
=== Books ===
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 5上|118}}
  
 
[[Category:B2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:B2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:Complements]]
 
[[Category:Complements]]
{{Basic Grammar|不了|B2|Verb + / 不 + 了|今晚 我 有事 ,去 <em>不 了</em> 。|grammar point|ASG516F9}}
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{{Basic Grammar|不了|B2|Verb + 得了 / 不了|今晚 我 有事 ,去 <em>不 了</em> 。|grammar point|ASG516F9}}
{{Rel char|}}
+
{{Rel char|不下}}
 +
{{Rel char|下}}
 +
{{Rel char|不起}}
 +
{{Rel char|起}}
 +
{{Rel char|不动}}
 +
{{Rel char|动}}
 +
{{Rel char|不着}}
 +
{{Rel char|着}}
 
{{Similar|"-wan" result complement}}
 
{{Similar|"-wan" result complement}}
{{Similar|Result complement "-qilai"}}
+
{{Similar|Potential complement}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing possibility}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing possibility}}
 
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
 
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
 
{{Structure|Complements}}
 
{{Structure|Complements}}

Latest revision as of 02:44, 29 December 2020

You may have a handle on the typical potential complements, but there are a few other fairly common ones that you still need to master. Each is addressed separately here, but for all of them, the preceding character 得 (de) or 不 (bu) is pronounced in the neutral tone.

Verbs with -不了 and -得了

Structure

This pattern is used to talk about whether or not you are able to do something. It is subtly different from using "不能 + Verb" because "Verb + 不了" usually suggests some external factor out of one's control.

Verb + 得了 / 不了

Note that the character 了 here is pronounced "liǎo."

Examples

  • 他 那么 老 , 得 了 那么 多 路 吗 ?Tā nàme lǎo, zǒu deliǎo nàme duō lù ma?He's so old. Will he be able to walk that far?
  • 今晚 我 有 事 , 不 了Jīn wǎn wǒ yǒushì, buliǎo.I have things to do tonight. I won't be able to go.
  • 这 件 衣服 太 小 了 ,我 穿 不 了Zhè jiàn yīfu tài xiǎo le, wǒ chuān buliǎo.This piece of clothing is too small. I won't be able to wear it.
  • 这 件 事情 只 有 你 得 了 我 。Zhè jiàn shìqing zhǐyǒu nǐ bāng deliǎo wǒ.You're the only one who is able to help me with this.

Verbs with -不下 and -得下

Structure

This is used to talk about whether or not something will fit or go somewhere. Commonly used with the verbs 放, 坐, 住, 装, 吃.

Verb + 得下 / 不下

Examples

  • 我 吃 饱 了 ,真的 不 下 了 。Wǒ chī bǎo le, zhēn de chī buxià le.I'm full. I don't feel like eating more.
  • 你 包 里 得 下 那么 多 东西 吗 ?Nǐ bāo li fàng dexià nàme duō dōngxi ma?Can your bag hold that many things?
  • 我 的 车 太 小 , 不 下 五 个 人 。 Wǒ de chē tài xiǎo, zuò buxià wǔ gèrén.My car is too small. Five people will not fit in it.
  • 我 的 箱子 这么 大 ,肯定 得 下 这些 衣服 。Wǒ de xiāngzi zhème dà, kěndìng zhuāng dexià zhèxiē yīfu.I'm sure my suitcase is big enough for these clothes.

Verbs with -不起 and -得起

This complement is related to being "able to afford" something or some cost. So -不起 means "can't afford to," and -得起 means "can afford to."

Structure

Verb + 得起 / 不起 + Obj.

Examples

  • 那 件 衣服 是 你 两 个 月 的 工资 , 得 起 吗?Nà jiàn yīfu shì nǐ liǎng gè yuè de gōngzī, mǎi deqǐ ma?That piece of clothing is worth two months of your salary. Can you afford to buy it?
  • 这 家 餐厅 太 贵 了 ,我们 不 起Zhè jiā cāntīng tài guì le, wǒmen chī buqǐ.This restaurant is too expensive. We can't afford to eat here.
  • 这里 房子 的 租金 最少 也 要 一 万 块 ,你 得 起 吗 ?Zhèlǐ fángzi de zūjīn zuìshǎo yě yào yī wàn kuài, nǐ deqǐ ma?This apartment's rent is at least 10,000 RMB. Can you afford to rent it?
  • 很 多 人 不 生 二胎 不是 因为 不 想 要 ,是 因为 成本 太 高 , 不 起Hěn duō rén bù shēng èrtāi bù shì yīnwèi bù xiǎng yào, shì yīnwèi chéngběn tài gāo, yǎng buqǐ.Many people don't have a second child not because they don't want to, but because costs are too high. They can't afford to raise another kid.

Verbs with -不动 and -得动

Structure

The potential complement -不动 is used to indicate the lack of energy or physical strength required to do something. This can be used not only with actions like walking, running or climbing, but even actions like eating and chewing.

Verb + 得动 / 不动

Examples

  • 不 动 了,我们 休息 一下 吧 !zǒu budòng le, wǒmen xiūxí yīxià ba!I can't keep going. I need to rest a bit.
  • 等等 我,我 不 动 了!Děng děng wǒ, wǒ pǎo budòng le!Wait for me. I can't keep running.
  • 孩子 真的 长大 了,妈妈 都 不 动 了 。Háizi zhēn de zhǎngdà le, māma dōu bào budòng le.The child is all grown up. His mother can't hold him anymore.
  • 这么 重 ,他 一个人 得 动 吗 ?Zhème zhòng, tā yīgèrén bān dedòng ma?It's so heavy. Can he move it by himself?

Verbs with -不着 and -得着

Similar to -到, the complement -着 (zháo) can denote that someone's one's ability is up (or not) to the task in question.

Structure

Verb + 得着 / 不着

Note that the character 着 here is pronounced "zháo."

Examples

  • 太 高 了 ,我 不 着Tài gāo le, wǒ gòu buzháo.It's too high. I can't reach it.
  • 这么 吵 ,你 得 着 吗 ?Zhème chǎo, nǐ shuì dezháo ma?It's so noisy. Can you sleep?
  • 太 难 了 ,我 不 着Tài nán le, wǒ cāi bu zháo.It's too hard. I can't guess.

This one is a little tricky, so find more examples in -着's dedicated grammar point.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5