HSK 3
V + 得 + RESULT
V + dé + RESULT
can V to RESULT
Structure
Subject + Verb + 得 + Resultative/Directional Complement
How it works
This structure is known as the Potential Complement. It indicates whether an action can achieve a certain result or reach a specific state based on ability or objective conditions.
Examples
我听得懂他在说什么。
Wǒ tīng de dǒng tā zài shuō shénme.
I can understand what he is saying.
老师写字，我在后排也看得见。
Lǎoshī xiězì, wǒ zài hòupái yě kàn de jiàn.
When the teacher writes, I can see it even from the back row.
这么多菜，你一个人吃得完吗？
Zhème duō cài, nǐ yīgèrén chī de wán ma?
There is so much food, can you finish it all by yourself?
Common mistakes
Do not confuse this with the structural particle '得' used for description (V+得+Adverb); this potential form focus solely on the possibility of a result.
Tip
To make this negative, replace '得' with '不' (e.g., 看得见 becomes 看不见) to mean you 'cannot' achieve the result.
More HSK 3 grammar
See V + 得 + RESULT in real Chinese
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