Verb + 得 + Complement (capability)
HSK 3- Complements
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 'verb + 得' is used to express the possibility of performing an action or achieving its result.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Used to express whether an action can occur or achieve a certain result. This structure does not talk about what has been done, but rather whether it can be done.
It answers the question "Is it possible to…?". Its negative form is Verb + 不 + Complement, e.g. 看得清楚 (can see clearly) → 看不清楚 (cannot see clearly).
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 老师说的话我听得懂。繁: 老師說的話我聽得懂。Lǎoshī shuō de huà wǒ tīng de dǒng.
I understand what the teacher said.
- 今天的作业你做得完吗？繁: 今天的作業你做得完嗎？Jīntiān de zuòyè nǐ zuò de wán ma?
Can you finish today's homework?
- 这个字你看得清楚吗？繁: 這個字你看得清楚嗎？Zhège zì nǐ kàn de qīngchu ma?
Can you see this character clearly?
- 这么多饭，我吃得完。繁: 這麼多飯，我吃得完。Zhème duō fàn, wǒ chī de wán.
With this much rice, I can finish eating it all.
- 那个箱子你拿得动吗？繁: 那個箱子你拿得動嗎？Nàge xiāngzi nǐ ná de dòng ma?
Can you carry that suitcase?
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我不看得清楚。Correct:我看不清楚。
The negative form is 'V + 不 + complement'; do not use 不 and 得 together.
- Wrong:我能听懂。Correct:我听得懂。
When expressing inherent ability or ability due to objective conditions, using 'V+得+C' is more natural than using the auxiliary verb '能'.