How to say “can” or “can’t” with 得 and 不 in Chinese
Verb + 得 (de) / 不 (bù) + Result Complement
得 (dé) / 不 (bù) — potential complements
Verb + 得 (de) / 不 (bù) + Result Complement
HSK 5Complements得 (dé) / 不 (bù) — potential complements
Rule structure
Potential complements indicate whether an action is possible or not. Advanced usage includes idiomatic combinations, such as 吃不完 (chī bù wán) and 赶得上 (gǎn de shàng), as well as metaphorical meanings.
Rule structure
Potential complements indicate whether an action is possible or not. Advanced usage includes idiomatic combinations, such as 吃不完 (chī bù wán) and 赶得上 (gǎn de shàng), as well as metaphorical meanings.
Examples
这么多菜，我一个人吃不完。
Zhème duō cài, wǒ yī gè rén chī bù wán.
So many dishes, I can’t finish them all by myself.
Examples
这么多菜，我一个人吃不完。
Zhème duō cài, wǒ yī gè rén chī bù wán.
So many dishes, I can’t finish them all by myself.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “potential complements” in Chinese with 得 / 不?
Use the structure: Verb + 得 (de) / 不 (bù) + Result Complement. For example: 这么多菜，我一个人吃不完。 — “So many dishes, I can’t finish them all by myself.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
这么多菜，我一个人吃不完。 — “So many dishes, I can’t finish them all by myself.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.
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More HSK 5 grammar rules
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得 — advanced degree complements
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到 — tricky uses of 到
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着 — result of an action
Verb + 着 (zháo)
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万一 (wànyī) + (Undesirable) Condition + 怎么办 (zěnme bàn)？
就是 — even if…
就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯，也 (yě)⋯⋯