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。Bǎobǎo gāng shùi zhāo? The baby just fell asleep.
• 你 的 手机 找 着 了 吗？Nǐ de shǒujī zhǎo zhāo le ma? Did you find your cell phone?
• 火鸡 买 着 了 吗？Hǔojī mǎi zhāo le ma? Did you buy the turkey?
• 你 看 着 他 了 吗？Nǐ kān zhāo tā le ma? 在 哪儿？Did you see him? Where?

Potential Complement

Structure

Verb + 得/不 + 着

When used with 得 (or 不) 住 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。Wǎnshang wǒ shùi bù zhāo 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 zhāo le. I wasn't able to find my cell phone.
• 这么 晚 了，能 买 得 着 吗？Zhème wǎn lenéng mǎi dé zhāo ma? It's so late, could you buy it?
• 你 看 得 着 他 吗？Nǐ kān dé zhāo tā ma? 他 在 哪儿？Were you able to see him? Where is he?

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

HSK5