Verb + 透
HSK 6- Complements
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The resultative complement 透 (thòu) expresses that an action is carried out thoroughly, completely, or all the way through.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Used as a resultative complement after a verb, 透 expresses that an action reaches a thorough, deep, or complete degree. It carries the sense of "penetrating through" or "seeing/understanding thoroughly."
透 can be used both literally and figuratively. For example, 湿透 (soaked through) is literal, while 看透 (see through something's true nature) and 想透 (think something through completely) are figurative. It emphasizes the total completion of an action.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我看透他了。Wǒ kàn tòu tā le.
I've seen through him.
- 我的衣服被雨淋透了。Wǒ de yīfu bèi yǔ lín tòu le.
My clothes got soaked through by the rain.
- 这件事我想透了。繁: 這件事我想透了。Zhè jiàn shì wǒ xiǎng tòu le.
I've thought this matter through completely.
- 这本书他读透了。繁: 這本書他讀透了。Zhè běn shū tā dú tòu le.
He has read this book thoroughly and grasped it completely.
- 今天我累透了。Jīntiān wǒ lèi tòu le.
Today I'm completely exhausted.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我吃透了。Correct:我吃饱了。
透 is not used to indicate being full from eating; use the complement 饱 instead. 透 means "thoroughly" or "completely."
- Wrong:我完全看他。Correct:我看透他了。
Using the complement 透 is more natural and idiomatic than using the adverb 完全 when you want to say "see through to the essence."