Degree complement 得
HSK 5- Complements
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The degree complement 得 is used to describe the degree, state, or result of an action.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This structure uses 得 to link a verb to a descriptive complement that answers the question "to what extent/degree?". This descriptive part (degree complement) indicates how well or poorly, how fast or slowly an action is performed, or what result it produces.
Important note: If the verb has an object, you must repeat the verb once more before 得. For example, instead of 他写汉字得很好, you must say 他写汉字写得很好.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他跑得很快。Tā pǎo de hěn kuài.
He runs very fast.
- 你说得太好了！繁: 你說得太好了！Nǐ shuō de tài hǎo le!
You speak so well!
- 他写汉字写得很好看。繁: 他寫漢字寫得很好看。Tā xiě hànzì xiě de hěn hǎokàn.
He writes Chinese characters beautifully.
- 妹妹高兴得跳了起来。繁: 妹妹高興得跳了起來。Mèimei gāoxìng de tiào le qǐlái.
The younger sister was so happy that she jumped up.
- 我们玩儿得都很开心。繁: 我們玩兒得都很開心。Wǒmen wánr de dōu hěn kāixīn.
We all had a lot of fun playing.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他唱歌得很好听。Correct:他唱歌唱得很好听。
When the verb (唱) has an object (歌), you must repeat the verb before 得.
- Wrong:他说得很好汉语。Correct:他说汉语说得很好。
The object (in Chinese) cannot be placed after the complement; it must come immediately after the first verb.