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Lesson

Potential Complements (V得/不…)

1. Explain it simply

Insert 得 (can) or 不 (cannot) between the verb and its result: verb + 得/不 + result.

听得懂 = can understand; 听不懂 = can't understand. 拿得动 / 拿不动 = can / can't lift.

This is about ability or possibility, unlike 完/懂 alone, which just states the result.

2. Show examples

我听得懂中文。

Wǒ tīng de dǒng Zhōngwén.

I can understand Chinese.

得 = can

这个箱子我拿不动。

Zhège xiāngzi wǒ ná bù dòng.

Sandhi:Zhège xiāngzi wǒ ná bú dòng.

I can't lift this box.

不 = cannot

这本书我今天看不完。

Zhè běn shū wǒ jīntiān kàn bù wán.

I can't finish this book today.

看 + 不 + 完

3. Share a tip

For the negative use 不, not 没: say 看不懂 for 'can't understand'. Keep 得 or 不 between the verb and its result.

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