Difference between revisions of "Advanced potential complements"

 
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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
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You may have a handle on the typical [[potential complement]]s, but there are a few other fairly common ones that you still need to master. Each is addressed separately here, but for all of them, the preceding character 得 (de) or 不 (bu) is pronounced in the [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/pronunciation/Neutral_tone neutral tone].
You may have a handle on the typical [[potential complement]]s, but there are a few other fairly common ones that you still need to master. Each is addressed separately here.
 
  
 
== Verbs with -不了 and -得了 ==
 
== Verbs with -不了 and -得了 ==
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=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
This pattern is used to talk about whether or not you are able to do something. It is subtly different from using 不能 because -不了 usually suggests some external factor out of one's control.  
+
This pattern is used to talk about whether or not you are able to do something. It is subtly different from using "不能 + Verb" because "Verb + 不了" usually suggests some external factor out of one's control.  
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Verb + / 不 + 了
+
Verb + 得了 / 不了
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
Note that the character 了 here is pronounced "liǎo."
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
*他 那么 老 ,<strong>走</strong> <em>得 </em> 那么 多 路 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Tā nàme lǎo, <strong>zǒu</strong> <em>deliǎo</em> nàme duō lù ma?</span><span class="trans">He's so old. Will he be able to walk that far?</span>
*他 那么 老 ,走 <em>得</em> 那么 多 路 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Tā nàme lǎo, zǒu <em></em> liǎo nàme duō lù ma?</span><span class="trans">He's so old. Will he be able to walk that far?</span>
+
*今晚 我 有 事 ,<strong>去</strong> <em>不 </em> 。<span class="pinyin">Jīn wǎn wǒ yǒushì, <strong></strong> <em>buliǎo</em>.</span><span class="trans">I have things to do tonight. I won't be able to go.</span>
*今晚 我 有 事 ,去 <em>不</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Jīn wǎn wǒ yǒushì, qù <em></em> liǎo.</span><span class="trans">I have things to do tonight. I won't be able to go.</span>
+
*这 件 衣服 太 小 了 ,我 <strong>穿</strong> <em>不 </em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn yīfu tài xiǎo le, wǒ <strong>chuān</strong> <em>buliǎo</em>.</span><span class="trans">This piece of clothing is too small. I won't be able to wear it.</span>
*这 件 衣服 太 小 了 ,我 穿 <em>不</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn yīfú tài xiǎo le, wǒ chuān <em></em> liǎo.</span><span class="trans">This piece of clothing is too small. I won't be able to wear it.</span>
+
*这 件 事情 只 有 你 <strong></strong> <em>得 </em> 我 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn shìqing zhǐyǒu nǐ <strong>bāng</strong> <em>deliǎo</em> wǒ.</span><span class="trans">You're the only one who is able to help me with this.</span>
*这 件 事情 只 有 你 帮 <em>得</em> 我 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn shìqíng zhǐyǒu nǐ bāng <em></em> liǎo wǒ.</span><span class="trans">You're the only one who is able to help me with this.</span>
 
*他 没 什么 经验 ,处理 <em>不</em> 了 这样 的 问题 。<span class="pinyin">Tā méishénme jīngyàn, chǔlǐ <em>bù</em> liǎo zhèyàng de wèntí.</span><span class="trans">He doesn't have much experience. He is not able  deal with this kind of problem.</span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
This is used to talk about whether or not something will fit or go somewhere. 常见的动词:放、坐、住、装、吃。
+
This is used to talk about whether or not something will fit or go somewhere. Commonly used with the verbs 放, 坐, 住, 装, 吃.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Verb + / 不 + 下
+
Verb + 得下 / 不下
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
*我 吃 饱 了 ,真的 <strong></strong> <em>不 下</em> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ chī bǎo le, zhēn de <strong>chī</strong> <em>buxià</em> le.</span><span class="trans">I'm full. I don't feel like eating more.</span>
*我 吃 饱 了 ,真的 吃 <em>不 下</em> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ chī bǎo le, zhēn de chī <em>bù xià</em> le.</span><span class="trans">I'm full. I don't feel like eating more.</span>
+
*你 包 里 <strong></strong> <em>得 下 </em> 那么 多 东西 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ bāo li <strong>fàng</strong> <em>dexià</em> nàme duō dōngxi ma?</span><span class="trans">Can your bag hold that many things?</span>
*你 包 里 放 <em>得 下 </em> 那么 多 东西 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ bāo fàng <em>dé xià</em> nàme duō dōngxī ma?</span><span class="trans">Can your bag hold that many things?</span>
+
*我 的 车 太 小 ,<strong>坐</strong> <em>不 下</em> 五 个 人 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ de chē tài xiǎo, <strong>zuò</strong> <em>buxià</em> wǔ gèrén.</span><span class="trans">My car is too small. Five people will not fit in it.</span>
*我 的 车 太 小 ,坐 <em>不 下</em> 五 个 人 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ de chē tài xiǎo, zuò <em>bù xià</em> wǔ gèrén.</span><span class="trans">My car is too small. Five people will not fit in it.</span>
+
*我 的 箱子 这么 大 ,肯定 <strong></strong> <em>得 下</em> 这些 衣服 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de xiāngzi zhème dà, kěndìng <strong>zhuāng</strong> <em>dexià</em> zhèxiē yīfu.</span><span class="trans">I'm sure my suitcase is big enough for these clothes.</span>
*我 的 箱子 这么 大 ,肯定 装 <em>得 下</em> 这些 衣服 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de xiāngzi zhème dà, kěndìng zhuāng <em>dé xià</em> zhèxiē yīfú.</span><span class="trans">I'm sure my suitcase is big enough for these clothes.</span>
 
*你 一个人 拿 <em>得 下 </em> 这么 多 东西 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yīgè rén ná <em>dé xià</em> zhème duō dōngxī ma?</span><span class="trans">Can you carry all these thing?</span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
== Verbs with -不起 and -得起 ==  
 
== Verbs with -不起 and -得起 ==  
 +
 +
This complement is related to being "able to afford" something or some cost. So -不起 means "can't afford to," and -得起 means "can afford to."
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Verb + / 不 + 起 + Obj.  
+
Verb + 得起 / 不起 + Obj.  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
*那 件 衣服 是 你 两 个 月 的 工资 ,<strong>买</strong> <em>得 起</em> 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nà jiàn yīfu shì nǐ liǎng gè yuè de gōngzī, <strong>mǎi</strong> <em>deqǐ</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">That piece of clothing is worth two months of your salary. Can you afford to buy it?</span>
*那 件 衣服 是 你 两 个 月 的 工资 ,买 <em>得 起</em> 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nà jiàn yīfú shì nǐ liǎng gè yuè de gōngzī, mǎi <em>dé qǐ</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">That piece of clothing is worth two months of your salary. Can you afford to buy it?</span>
+
*这 家 餐厅 太 贵 了 ,我们 <strong></strong> <em>不 起</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiā cāntīng tài guì le, wǒmen <strong>chī</strong> <em>buqǐ</em>.</span><span class="trans">This restaurant is too expensive. We can't afford to eat here.</span>
*这 家 餐厅 太 贵 了 ,我们 吃 <em>不 起</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiā cāntīng tài guìle, wǒmen chī <em>bù qǐ</em>.</span><span class="trans">This restaurant is too expensive. We can't afford to eat here.</span>
+
*这里 房子 的 租金 最少 也 要 一 万 块 ,你 <strong></strong> <em>得 起</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Zhèlǐ fángzi de zūjīn zuìshǎo yě yào yī wàn kuài, nǐ <strong></strong> <em>deqǐ</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">This apartment's rent is at least 10,000 RMB. Can you afford to rent it?</span>
*这些 化妆品 很 贵 ,我 用 <em>不 起</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhèxiē huàzhuāngpǐn hěn guì, wǒ yòng <em>bù qǐ</em>.</span><span class="trans">This makeup is very expensive. I can't afford it.</span>
+
*很 多 人 不 生 二胎 不是 因为 不 想 要 ,是 因为 成本 太 高 ,<strong>养</strong> <em>不 起</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Hěn duō rén bù shēng èrtāi bù shì yīnwèi bù xiǎng yào, shì yīnwèi chéngběn tài gāo, <strong>yǎng</strong> <em>buqǐ</em>.</span><span class="trans">Many people don't have a second child not because they don't want to, but because costs are too high. They can't afford to raise another kid.</span>
*这里 房子 的 租金 最少 也 要 一 万 块 ,你 租 <em>得 起</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Zhèlǐ fángzi de zūjīn zuìshǎo yě yào yī wàn kuài, nǐ zū <em>dé qǐ</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">This apartment's rent is at least 10,000 RMB. Can you afford to rent it?</span>
 
*很 多 人 不 生 二胎 不是 因为 不 想 要 ,是 因为 成本 太 高 ,养 <em>不 起</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Hěnduō rén bù shēng èr tāi bùshì yīn wéi bùxiǎng yào, shì yīn wéi chéngběn tài gāo, yǎng <em>bù qǐ</em>.</span><span class="trans">Many people don't get pregnant twice not because they don't want to. It's because the cost is too high, they can't afford to raise more kids.</span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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=== Structure ===
 
=== 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.
+
The potential complement -不动 is used to indicate the lack of energy or physical strength required to do something. This can be used not only with actions like walking, running or climbing, but even actions like eating and chewing.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Verb + / 不 + 动
+
Verb + 得动 / 不动
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
*我 <strong></strong> <em>不 动</em> 了,我们 休息 一下 吧 !<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>zǒu</strong> <em>budòng</em> le, wǒmen xiūxí yīxià ba!</span><span class="trans">I can't keep going. I need to rest a bit.</span>
*我 走 <em>不 动</em> 了,我们 休息 一下 吧 !<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zǒu <em>bù dòng</em> le, wǒmen xiūxí yīxià ba!</span><span class="trans">I can't keep going. I need to rest a bit.</span>
+
*等等 我,我 <strong></strong> <em>不 动</em> 了!<span class="pinyin">Děng děng wǒ, wǒ <strong>pǎo</strong> <em>budòng</em> le!</span><span class="trans">Wait for me. I can't keep running.</span>
*等等 我,我 跑 <em>不 动</em> 了!<span class="pinyin">Děng děng wǒ, wǒ pǎo <em>bù dòng</em> le!</span><span class="trans">Wait for me. I can't keep running.</span>
+
*孩子 真的 长大 了,妈妈 都 <strong></strong> <em>不 动</em> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Háizi zhēn de zhǎngdà le, māma dōu <strong>bào</strong> <em>budòng</em> le.</span><span class="trans">The child is all grown up. His mother can't hold him anymore.</span>
*你 才 一百 斤 ,我 背 <em>得 动</em> 你 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ cái yībǎi jīn, wǒ bèi <em>dé dòng</em> nǐ.</span><span class="trans">You are only 50 kilograms. I can carry you.</span>
+
*这么 重 ,他 一个人 <strong></strong> <em>得 动</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Zhème zhòng, tā yīgèrén <strong>bān</strong> <em>dedòng</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">It's so heavy. Can he move it by himself?</span>
*孩子 真的 长大 了,妈妈 都 抱 <em>不 动</em> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Háizi zhēn de zhǎng dà le, māmā dōu bào <em>bù dòng</em> le.</span><span class="trans">The child is all grown up. His mother can't hold him anymore.</span>
 
*这么 重 ,他 一个人 搬 <em>得 动</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Zhème zhòng, tā yīgè rén bān <em>dé dòng</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">It's so heavy. Can he move it by himself?</span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
== Verbs with -不着 and -得着 ==
 
== Verbs with -不着 and -得着 ==
 +
 +
Similar to [[Result complements "-dao" and "-jian"|-到]], the complement -着 (zháo) can denote that someone's one's ability is up (or not) to the task in question.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
 
表示动作有能力做到某事。"着"读作zháo。
 
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Verb + / 不 + 着
+
Verb + 得着 / 不着
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
Note that the character 着 here is pronounced "zháo."
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*太 高 了 ,我 够 <em>不 着</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tài gāo le, wǒ gòu <em>bù zháo.</em></span><span class="trans">It's too high. I can't reach it.</span>
+
*太 高 了 ,我 <strong></strong> <em>不 着</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tài gāo le, wǒ <strong>gòu</strong> <em>buzháo</em>.</span><span class="trans">It's too high. I can't reach it.</span>
*这么 吵 ,你 睡 <em>得 着</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin>Zhème chǎo, nǐ shuì <em>dé zháo</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">It's so noisy. Can you sleep?</span>
+
*这么 吵 ,你 <strong></strong> <em>得 着</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin>Zhème chǎo, nǐ <strong>shuì</strong> <em>dezháo</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">It's so noisy. Can you sleep?</span>
*太 难 了 ,我 猜 <em>不 着</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tài nán le, wǒ cāi zháo.</span><span class="trans">It's too hard. I can't guess.</span>
+
*太 难 了 ,我 <strong></strong> <em>不 着</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tài nán le, wǒ cāi bu zháo.</span><span class="trans">It's too hard. I can't guess.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
This one is a little tricky, so find more examples in [[complement "-zhao"|-着's dedicated grammar point]].
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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[[Category:B2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:B2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:Complements]]
 
[[Category:Complements]]
{{Basic Grammar|不了|B2|Verb + / 不 + 了|今晚 我 有事 ,去 <em>不 了</em> 。|grammar point|ASG516F9}}
+
{{Basic Grammar|不了|B2|Verb + 得了 / 不了|今晚 我 有事 ,去 <em>不 了</em> 。|grammar point|ASG516F9}}
 
{{Rel char|不下}}
 
{{Rel char|不下}}
 
{{Rel char|下}}
 
{{Rel char|下}}

Latest revision as of 02:44, 29 December 2020

You may have a handle on the typical potential complements, but there are a few other fairly common ones that you still need to master. Each is addressed separately here, but for all of them, the preceding character 得 (de) or 不 (bu) is pronounced in the neutral tone.

Verbs with -不了 and -得了

Structure

This pattern is used to talk about whether or not you are able to do something. It is subtly different from using "不能 + Verb" because "Verb + 不了" usually suggests some external factor out of one's control.

Verb + 得了 / 不了

Note that the character 了 here is pronounced "liǎo."

Examples

  • 他 那么 老 , 得 了 那么 多 路 吗 ?Tā nàme lǎo, zǒu deliǎo nàme duō lù ma?He's so old. Will he be able to walk that far?
  • 今晚 我 有 事 , 不 了Jīn wǎn wǒ yǒushì, buliǎo.I have things to do tonight. I won't be able to go.
  • 这 件 衣服 太 小 了 ,我 穿 不 了Zhè jiàn yīfu tài xiǎo le, wǒ chuān buliǎo.This piece of clothing is too small. I won't be able to wear it.
  • 这 件 事情 只 有 你 得 了 我 。Zhè jiàn shìqing zhǐyǒu nǐ bāng deliǎo wǒ.You're the only one who is able to help me with this.

Verbs with -不下 and -得下

Structure

This is used to talk about whether or not something will fit or go somewhere. Commonly used with the verbs 放, 坐, 住, 装, 吃.

Verb + 得下 / 不下

Examples

  • 我 吃 饱 了 ,真的 不 下 了 。Wǒ chī bǎo le, zhēn de chī buxià le.I'm full. I don't feel like eating more.
  • 你 包 里 得 下 那么 多 东西 吗 ?Nǐ bāo li fàng dexià nàme duō dōngxi ma?Can your bag hold that many things?
  • 我 的 车 太 小 , 不 下 五 个 人 。 Wǒ de chē tài xiǎo, zuò buxià wǔ gèrén.My car is too small. Five people will not fit in it.
  • 我 的 箱子 这么 大 ,肯定 得 下 这些 衣服 。Wǒ de xiāngzi zhème dà, kěndìng zhuāng dexià zhèxiē yīfu.I'm sure my suitcase is big enough for these clothes.

Verbs with -不起 and -得起

This complement is related to being "able to afford" something or some cost. So -不起 means "can't afford to," and -得起 means "can afford to."

Structure

Verb + 得起 / 不起 + Obj.

Examples

  • 那 件 衣服 是 你 两 个 月 的 工资 , 得 起 吗?Nà jiàn yīfu shì nǐ liǎng gè yuè de gōngzī, mǎi deqǐ ma?That piece of clothing is worth two months of your salary. Can you afford to buy it?
  • 这 家 餐厅 太 贵 了 ,我们 不 起Zhè jiā cāntīng tài guì le, wǒmen chī buqǐ.This restaurant is too expensive. We can't afford to eat here.
  • 这里 房子 的 租金 最少 也 要 一 万 块 ,你 得 起 吗 ?Zhèlǐ fángzi de zūjīn zuìshǎo yě yào yī wàn kuài, nǐ deqǐ ma?This apartment's rent is at least 10,000 RMB. Can you afford to rent it?
  • 很 多 人 不 生 二胎 不是 因为 不 想 要 ,是 因为 成本 太 高 , 不 起Hěn duō rén bù shēng èrtāi bù shì yīnwèi bù xiǎng yào, shì yīnwèi chéngběn tài gāo, yǎng buqǐ.Many people don't have a second child not because they don't want to, but because costs are too high. They can't afford to raise another kid.

Verbs with -不动 and -得动

Structure

The potential complement -不动 is used to indicate the lack of energy or physical strength required to do something. This can be used not only with actions like walking, running or climbing, but even actions like eating and chewing.

Verb + 得动 / 不动

Examples

  • 不 动 了,我们 休息 一下 吧 !zǒu budòng le, wǒmen xiūxí yīxià ba!I can't keep going. I need to rest a bit.
  • 等等 我,我 不 动 了!Děng děng wǒ, wǒ pǎo budòng le!Wait for me. I can't keep running.
  • 孩子 真的 长大 了,妈妈 都 不 动 了 。Háizi zhēn de zhǎngdà le, māma dōu bào budòng le.The child is all grown up. His mother can't hold him anymore.
  • 这么 重 ,他 一个人 得 动 吗 ?Zhème zhòng, tā yīgèrén bān dedòng ma?It's so heavy. Can he move it by himself?

Verbs with -不着 and -得着

Similar to -到, the complement -着 (zháo) can denote that someone's one's ability is up (or not) to the task in question.

Structure

Verb + 得着 / 不着

Note that the character 着 here is pronounced "zháo."

Examples

  • 太 高 了 ,我 不 着Tài gāo le, wǒ gòu buzháo.It's too high. I can't reach it.
  • 这么 吵 ,你 得 着 吗 ?Zhème chǎo, nǐ shuì dezháo ma?It's so noisy. Can you sleep?
  • 太 难 了 ,我 不 着Tài nán le, wǒ cāi bu zháo.It's too hard. I can't guess.

This one is a little tricky, so find more examples in -着's dedicated grammar point.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5