Potential Complements (V + 得/不 + Complement)

Pattern

• Subject + Verb + 得 / 不 + Complement + (Object)

Usage

• Potential complements (可能补语) express whether the result or direction of an action can be achieved given current abilities or objective conditions.
• Structure: Verb + 得 (can) / 不 (cannot) + Result or Directional Complement (e.g., 看得见/看不见, 听得懂/听不懂, 吃得完/吃不完).
• Common fixed idiomatic potential complements include 来得及/来不及 ("in time / too late"), 受得了/受不了 ("can bear / cannot stand"), and 看得起/看不起 ("respect / look down upon").
• Important: do not combine 能 with a negative potential complement or redundantly say *

Examples

1. 1

   这个字太小，我看不见。

   Zhège zì tài xiǎo, wǒ kàn bù jiàn.

   This character is too small; I cannot see it.

2. 2

   老师说的话我听得懂。

   Lǎoshī shuō de huà wǒ tīng de dǒng.

   I can understand what the teacher says.

3. 3

   这么多菜，我们吃不完。

   Zhème duō cài, wǒmen chī bù wán.

   There are so many dishes that we cannot finish eating them.

4. 4

   现在去还吗？