Adjectival complement "de budeliao"

得不得了 (de bùdéliǎo) can be used as a complement to suggest a situation is serious, or is likely to result in perhaps terrible consequences. It can be used in a positive sense, such as in English when we say "I'm terribly happy."

Structure

Adj. + 得不得了

Examples

  • 升职 的 事情 让 他 高兴 得 不得了Shēng zhí de shìqíng ràng tā gāoxìng dé bùdéle.The fact that he got promoted made him extremely happy.
  • 嗨,他 跟 老总 的 关系 好 得 不得了,你 一定 要 小心!Hāi, tā gēn lǎozǒng de guānxì hǎo dé bùdéle, nǐ yīdìng yào xiǎoxīn!The relationship between him and the chief officer is really good, you need to be careful!
  • 爸爸 气 得 不得了,你 要 倒霉 啦。Bàba qì dé bùdéle, nǐ yào dǎoméi la.Dad is super angry. You're going to be unlucky.
  • 她的妈妈刚去世, 她难过 得 不得了Tā de māmā gāng qùshì, tā nánguò dé bùdéle.Her mom just passed away, she is extremely sad.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5