Advanced result complements "zhu", "kai", and "chulai"

When used as a resultative complement, 住 (zhù) can meaning "to stop" or "tightly." It can also be used as a potential complement, meaning "able to".

Resultative Complement

Structure

Verb + 住

Examples

Here 住 is used to express a "coming to a halt".

• 这 辆 破 车 堵住 了 整 条 路。These two cars are blocking the entire road.
• 站住！你 不 能 走！Stop! You can't go!
• 我 意识 到 自己 说 得 太 多 了，所以 马上 打住 了。I realized I had said too much, so I stopped right away.
• 快点 打 电话 让 维修工 过来 帮 我们 止住 水。We quickly called the maintenance man to help us stop the leak.

Here 住 is used to express undertaking an action "firmly" or "tightly"

• 你 必须 抓住 重点。You must hold tightly.
• 长辈 给 你 传授 的 经验 一定 要 记住。The elder gave you some advice. You'd better remember it.
• 看住 你 的 小 狗，别 让 它 乱 跑。Keep an eye on your dog. Don't let him just run around.

Potential Complement

Structure

Verb + 得/不 + 住

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:

Examples

• 我 忍 不 住 哭了。I can't stop myself from crying.
• 这 个 人 你 留 不 住，他 不 会 永远 呆 在 这里。You can't keep this person here, he can't stay forever.
• 连续 工作 这么 长 时间，你 撑 得 住 吗？Working for such a long time straight, can you bear it?
• 如果 你 抓 得 住 她 的心，只能 说明 你 很 幸运。If you can catch her heart, then you are very lucky.

See also

• Resultative Complement "kai"
• Resultative Complement "huai"
• Potential complement

Sources and further reading

Books

• New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 135) →buy

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