Possibility Complement - Verb + 得、不 + 了
可能补语2 — 动词+得、不+了
Possibility Complements (可能补语) express if an action is possible: V + 得/不 + complement (看得懂/看不懂).
Structure
动词+得 不+了
Elements
得不了
How to use it
- Start with the pattern: 动词+得.
- Placement: keep what precedes 动词 before the verb, and what follows 动词 after the verb.
- For 得, take a model sentence like 这个字我看得懂。 (I can understand this character.) and replace only the variable information.
- For 不, take a model sentence like 不会唱歌 (cannot sing) and replace only the variable information.
- After substitution, check that 了 / 不 / 没 / 吗 remain coherent with the meaning and time of the sentence.
- Context: Use this structure to describe facts or actions in a complete sentence.
Examples
这个字我看得懂。
zhège zì wǒ kàn děi dǒng。
I can understand this character.
不会唱歌
bù huì chàng gē
cannot sing
吃了饭再去图书馆。
chī le fàn zài qù tú shū guǎn
Let's eat first, then go to the library.
我明白了。
wǒ míng bái le
I understand.
你得早点儿睡
nǐ děi zǎo diǎnr shuì
You should go to bed early
Notes and exceptions
- 了 — Aspect / change of state: Marks an accomplished event or a change in situation.
- Note: 了 is not mandatory in all past sentences.
- 得 — Complement: Introduces a complement after the verb (说得很好).
- 得 — Complement: Indicates a result or manner. The word "devoir" in French can be used to express obligations, whether they are related to law, rules, or ethics. Common combinations observed: 得 (complement).
- 不 — Negation: Forms negations in Chinese. Common combinations observed: 不 (negation).
- 了 — Aspect: Marks an accomplished or completed action. Common combinations observed: 了 (aspect).
Practice quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.
1. 这个字我看____懂。
(I can understand this character.)
2. ____会唱歌
(cannot sing)
3. 吃____饭再去图书馆。
(Let's eat first, then go to the library.)
4. 我明白____。
(I understand.)
5. 你____早点儿睡
(You should go to bed early)