HSK 7-9
动词+得个……
verb + de ge...
Verb to the point of...; verb resulting in...
Structure
Verb + 得 (de) + 个 (ge) + Complement/Result
How it works
This structure is used in colloquial or literary Chinese to describe the result or degree of an action, often emphasizing an extreme or thorough state. The word '个' here functions as a placeholder or intensifier rather than a measure word, making the description more vivid and rhythmic.
Examples
听完这个笑话，大家笑得个前仰后合。
Tīng wán zhè ge xiàohuà, dàjiā xiào de ge qiányǎnghòuhé.
After hearing this joke, everyone laughed themselves silly (rocking back and forth).
那场大雨淋得个落汤鸡似的。
Nà chǎng dàyǔ lín de ge luòtāngjī shìde.
That heavy rain left me soaked like a drenched chicken.
他把屋子收拾得个干干净净。
Tā bǎ wūzi shōushi de ge gāngān-jìngjìng.
He tidied the room until it was spotlessly clean.
Common mistakes
Do not confuse this with the potential complement '看得个' (able to see a...); in this HSK 7-9 pattern, '个' does not quantify a noun, it reinforces the degree of the verb.
Tip
Think of the '个' as adding a conversational flavor. It is most frequently followed by four-character idioms (Chengyu) or reduplicated adjectives to enhance the descriptive effect.
More HSK 7-9 grammar
See 动词+得个…… in real Chinese
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