Verb + 够
HSK 6- Complements
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used after a verb to indicate that an action has reached a sufficient degree, often carrying the sense of being tired of it or no longer wishing to continue.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
够 here is a resultative complement, expressing that an action has been carried out to a sufficient or satisfying degree. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, meaning "more than enough" or "fed up," implying one no longer wants to do that thing. For example, 我吃够了 does not simply mean "I have eaten enough," but more often conveys "I am sick of eating, I don't want any more." Do not confuse this with 够 placed before a noun (e.g. 够钱 — enough money).
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我吃够了，不想再吃了。繁: 我吃夠了，不想再吃了。Wǒ chī gòu le, bù xiǎng zài chī le.
I've had enough to eat and don't want to eat anymore.
- 这些话我早就听够了。繁: 這些話我早就聽夠了。Zhèxiē huà wǒ zǎo jiù tīng gòu le.
I've heard enough of this talk long ago.
- 你到底哭够了没有？繁: 你到底哭夠了沒有？Nǐ dàodǐ kū gòu le méiyǒu?
Have you finally cried enough?
- 孩子们玩够了才回家。繁: 孩子們玩夠了才回家。Háizimen wán gòu le cái huí jiā.
The children didn't go home until they had finished playing.
- 我受够了你的脾气！繁: 我受夠了你的脾氣！Wǒ shòu gòu le nǐ de píqi!
I've had enough of your temper!
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我够吃了。Correct:我吃够了。
When functioning as a resultative complement, 够 must immediately follow the verb and cannot precede it as in Vietnamese ("đủ ăn").
- Wrong:我没看够这本书。Correct:这本书我还没看够。
When there is an object, you should place the object at the beginning of the sentence to emphasize the target of the action "not enough."