HSK 3

V + 不 + result

V + bù + result

cannot V to RESULT

Structure

Verb + 不 (bù) + Result/Direction Complement

How it works

This structure is called a 'negative potential complement.' It is used to indicate that an action cannot be completed or that a specific result cannot be achieved due to fixed circumstances or a lack of ability.

Examples

我听不懂他说的话。

Wǒ tīng bù dǒng tā shuō de huà.

I cannot understand what he said.

作业太多了，我做不完。

Zuòyè tài duō le, wǒ zuò bù wán.

There is too much homework, I can't finish it.

那两个字太小，我看不清。

Nà liǎng gè zì tài xiǎo, wǒ kàn bù qīng.

Those two characters are too small, I can't see them clearly.

Common mistakes

Don't use '不能' if the reason for failure is the inherent difficulty of the action; use 'V + 不 + Result' instead (e.g., use '看不懂' rather than '不能看懂').

Tip

To turn this into a positive 'ability' statement, replace '不' with '得' (e.g., 做得完 means 'can finish').

More HSK 3 grammar

V 好一 + M + N + 也／都 + 不 + V 那 V1了就 V2 V 来／去 V somewhere 来／去 V O 来／去 V 来／去 O

See V + 不 + result in real Chinese

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