Complement "-zhao"

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."

Resultative Complement -着

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

• 宝宝 刚 睡着。Bǎobǎo gāng shuì zháo.The baby just fell asleep.
• 你 的 手机 找着 了 吗？Nǐ de shǒujī zhǎo zháo le ma?Did you find your cell phone?
• 超市 关门 了 ，你 要 的 东西 我 没 买 着 。Chāoshì guānmén le, nǐ yào de dōngxī wǒ méi mǎi zháo.The supermarket is closed. I didn't buy things that you need.
• 我 终于 见 着 你 了。Wǒ zhōngyú jiàn zháo nǐ le.I have finally met you.
• 最近 太 忙 了，他 累 着 了。Zuìjìn tài máng le, tā lèi zháo le.I've been so busy lately, he's tired.

You might be wondering: "why the heck would I use this instead of 到?" Hey, excellent question... we like the way you think! But native speakers do use 着 fairly often (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 Complements -得着 and -不着

Structure

Verb + 得着 / 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.

Examples

• 现在 买 不 着 这样 的 衣服 了。Xiànzài mǎi bu zháo zhèyàng de yīfú le.You can't buy such clothes now.
• 晚上 我 睡 不 着 的 时候 就 看书。Wǎnshàng wǒ shuì bu zháo de shíhòu jiù kànshū.At night when can't get to sleep, I read a book.
• 我 的 手机 找 不 着 了。Wǒ de shǒujī zhǎo bu zháo le.I can't find my cell phone.
• 这么 晚 了，买 得 着 吗？Zhème wǎn le, mǎi de zháo ma?It's so late already, can we buy it?
• 我 在 国外 吃 不 着 地道 的 中国 菜 。Wǒ zài guówài chī bu zháo dìdào de Zhōngguó cài.Outside of China, I can't get authentic Chinese food.

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) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy

HSK5