汉语语法第二十一讲：可能补语 (Kěnéng Bǔyǔ) – Potential Complement

Potential complements express the possibility or ability to perform an action. They often indicate whether an action can be done or not.

49. 可能补语 (Kěnéng Bǔyǔ):

Structure:

动词 + 得/不 + 结果补语 (Verb + De/Bu + Resultative Complement): This structure indicates whether the action can be completed or not.

动词 + 得/不 + 趋向补语 (Verb + De/Bu + Directional Complement): This structure indicates whether the action can be carried out in a specific direction or not.

Common Potential Complement Structures:

动词 + 得 + 结果补语 (Verb + De + Resultative Complement): Indicates that the action is possible.

Example: 他看得懂 (tā kàn de dǒng) – He can understand (it).

动词 + 不 + 结果补语 (Verb + Bu + Resultative Complement): Indicates that the action is impossible.

Example: 我吃不了辣 (wǒ chī bù liǎo là) – I can’t eat spicy food.

动词 + 得 + 趋向补语 (Verb + De + Directional Complement): Indicates that movement or change is possible.

Example: 他走得进 (tā zǒu de jìn) – He can enter (it).

动词 + 不 + 趋向补语 (Verb + Bu + Directional Complement): Indicates that movement or change is impossible.

Example: 他去不了 (tā qù bù liǎo) – He can’t go.

Example Sentences:

他学得会中文 (tā xué de huì zhōngwén) – He can learn Chinese.

我打不开这个门 (wǒ dǎ bù kāi zhège mén) – I can’t open this door.

她跑得上去 (tā pǎo de shàngqù) – She can run up there.

我回不去家了 (wǒ huí bù qù jiā le) – I can’t go back home.

Remember:

Potential complements are used to express the possibility or ability to perform an action.

“得” (de) indicates that the action is possible, while “不” (bu) indicates that it’s not possible.