Difference between revisions of "Complement "-zhao""
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| − | You might be wondering: "''why the heck would I use this instead of [[到]]?''" Good question! But native speakers do (especially in the north), so it's something you need to know. Also, 睡着 (shuì zháo), meaning "fall asleep," is an exception in that it cannot be replaced with *睡到. | + | You might be wondering: "''why the heck would I use this instead of [[Result complements "-dao" and "-jian"|到]]?''" Good question! But native speakers do (especially in the north), so it's something you need to know. Also, 睡着 (shuì zháo), meaning "fall asleep," is an exception in that it cannot be replaced with *睡到. |
==Potential Complement== | ==Potential Complement== | ||
Revision as of 06:43, 26 November 2020
When used as a resultative complement, 着 (zháo) expresses that the action has reached its purpose or has had an outcome. It can also be used as a potential complement, meaning "able to."
Contents
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
Remember: that 着 is pronounced "zháo and not "zhe"!
Examples
- 我 终于 见 着 你 了。I have finally met you.
- 最近 太 忙 了，他 累 着 了。I've been so busy lately, he's tired.
- 宝宝 刚 睡 着。The baby just fell asleep.
- 你 的 手机 找 着 了 吗？Did you find your cell phone?
- 超市 关门 了 ，你 要 的 东西 我 没 买 着 。The supermarket is closed. I didn't buy things that you need.
You might be wondering: "why the heck would I use this instead of 到?" Good question! But native speakers do (especially in the north), so it's something you need to know. Also, 睡着 (shuì zháo), meaning "fall asleep," is an exception in that it cannot be replaced with *睡到.
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
- 现在 买 不 着 这样 的 衣服 了。You can't buy such clothes now.
- 晚上 我 睡 不 着 的 时候 就 看书。Last night, when I wasn't able to get to sleep, I read a book.
- 我 的 手机 找 不 着 了。I wasn't able to find my cell phone.
- 这么 晚 了，买 得 着 吗？It's so late already, can you buy it?
- 我 在 国外 吃 不 着 地道 的 中国 菜 。I can't eat authentic Chinese food.
