Complement "-zhao"

When used as a resultative complement, 着 (zháo) expresses that the action has reached it's purpose or has had an outcome. It can also be used as a potential complement, meaning "able to".

Resultative Complement

Structure

All you have to do is put 着 after the verb. Remember that it should be something that you can reach or achieve. It could be a purpose, or it can be producing an outcome or an influence.

Verb + 着

Examples

• 宝宝 刚 睡 着。Bǎobao gāng shùi zháo. The baby just fell asleep.
• 你 的 手机 找 着 了 吗？Nǐ de shǒujī zhǎo zháo le ma? Did you find your cell phone?
• 火鸡 买 着 了 吗？Hǔojī mǎi zháo le ma? Did you buy the turkey?

Potential Complement

Structure

Verb + 得 / 不 + 着

When used with 得 (or 不) 着 functions as a potential complement, and denotes that one's one's ability is up (or not) to the task in question. This is like saying "(verb) able to reach" or “(verb) not able to reach."

Examples

• 晚上 我 睡 不 着 的 时候 就 看书。Wǎnshàng wǒ shùi bù zháo de shíhou jìu kàn shū. Last night, when I wasn't able to get to sleep, I read a book.
• 我 的 手机 找 不 着 了。Wǒ de shǒujī zhǎo bù zháo le. I wasn't able to find my cell phone.
• 这么 晚 了，能 买 得 着 吗？Zhème wǎn le, néng mǎi dé zháo ma? It's so late already, can you buy it?

See also

• Resultative Complement "zhu"
• Resultative Complement "huai"
• Resultative Complement "kai"

Sources and further reading

Books

• New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 135) →buy

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