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Verb + 不 + Complement (possibility)

HSK 3
  • Complements

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Verb不Complement (Result/Tendency)

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

Used to express the lack of ability or conditions to carry out and achieve the result of an action.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

This is the negative form of the potential complement, expressing that a result cannot be achieved due to limitations in ability or conditions. This structure is very common in spoken language.

For example, 看不懂 (kàn bu dǒng) means 'to look but be unable to understand', and 吃不完 (chī bu wán) means 'unable to finish eating'. It differs from 没 (negation for the past) and 不 (general negation for the present/future).

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 老师说的话我听不懂。
    繁: 老師說的話我聽不懂。Lǎoshī shuō de huà wǒ tīng bu dǒng.

    I don't understand what the teacher said.

  2. 作业太多了，我写不完。
    繁: 作業太多了，我寫不完。Zuòyè tài duō le, wǒ xiě bu wán.

    There is too much homework and I cannot finish writing it all.

  3. 这件衣服太小，我穿不了。
    繁: 這件衣服太小，我穿不了。Zhè jiàn yīfu tài xiǎo, wǒ chuān bu liǎo.

    This garment is too small; I can't wear it.

  4. 天太黑了，我看不见路。
    繁: 天太黑了，我看不見路。Tiān tài hēi le, wǒ kàn bu jiàn lù.

    The sky is too dark, I cannot see the road.

  5. 我太累了，走不动了。
    繁: 我太累了，走不動了。Wǒ tài lèi le, zǒu bu dòng le.

    I'm too tired to walk anymore.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong:我不看懂这本书。
    Correct:我看不懂这本书。

    To negate possibility, `不` must stand between the verb and its complement; it cannot stand before the entire verb phrase.

  • Wrong:这个苹果我不吃完。
    Correct:这个苹果我吃不完。

    不吃完 expresses the intention "will not eat it all," while 吃不完 expresses the ability "cannot eat it all" (because one is full, because the apple is large, etc.).