Potential complement "bu dong"
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
This is a potential complement that expresses you "can't do something." Don't confuse it with 不懂 as explained in The "-bu dong" (don't understand) Potential Complement.
Structure
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.
It is used like this:
Subject + physical action + 不动
Examples
- 我 走 不动 了，得 休息 一下！I walked but haven't gotten there yet. I need to rest a bit.
- 等 等 我，我 爬 不动 了！Wait for me. I haven't climbed there yet.
- 这个 牛排 根本 咬不动。I simply can't bite through this steak.
- 那 架 钢琴 很 重，他 肯定 搬不动。That piano is really heavy. You won't be able to move it.
Some less common examples (may depend on which region a speaker of China is from):
- 我 太 饱 了 ， 吃不动 了！I'm so full. I can't eat any more.
- 葛修远 已经 喝了 十瓶 啤酒 了，喝不动了！Ge Xiuyuan already drank ten bottles of beer. He can't drink more!
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
