Verb + 满
HSK 6- Complements
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Resultative complement 满 (mǎn) expresses an action that fills a space or container completely, leaving no empty room.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
满 is a resultative complement meaning "full," "filled up," or "completely." It indicates that the action of the verb has caused a space, container, or even a period of time to become completely filled.
This structure is commonly used to describe a resultant state — for example, a classroom 坐满了 (filled to capacity with) people, or a suitcase 装满了 (packed full of) things. It emphasizes the sense of fullness or completion in the object affected by the action.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 教室里坐满了学生。繁: 教室裡坐滿了學生。Jiàoshì lǐ zuò mǎn le xuéshēng.
The classroom was full of students sitting down.
- 我的杯子倒满了水。繁: 我的杯子倒滿了水。Wǒ de bēizi dào mǎn le shuǐ.
My cup was filled with water.
- 墙上挂满了画。繁: 牆上掛滿了畫。Qiáng shàng guà mǎn le huà.
The wall is covered with pictures.
- 他工作满了十年。繁: 他工作滿了十年。Tā gōngzuò mǎn le shí nián.
He has completed ten full years of work.
- 别把话说得太满。繁: 別把話說得太滿。Bié bǎ huà shuō de tài mǎn.
Don't speak too absolutely or leave no room for exceptions.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:房间里坐人满了。Correct:房间里坐满了人。
`坐满` is an inseparable verb-complement compound; the object `人` (person) must be placed after it.
- Wrong:我装满书在箱子里。Correct:我把箱子装满了书。
This is a word-for-word translation error. To express "stuff books into a suitcase," use a 把 construction to place the container `箱子` before the verb.