Difference between revisions of "Complement "-zhao""

Line 24: Line 24:
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
You might be wondering: "''why the heck would I use this instead of [[Result complements "-dao" and "-jian"|到]]?''" Good question! But native speakers do (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.
+
You might be wondering: "''why the heck would I use this instead of [[Result complements "-dao" and "-jian"|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 Complement==
 
==Potential Complement==

Revision as of 08:37, 28 November 2020

Chinese-grammar-wiki-zhe.jpg

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

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 ?" 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 Complement

Structure

Verb + 得 / 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

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5