V/Adj + 得 + 补语V/Adj + de + bǔyǔ

Advanced Degree Complements with 得 (de)

Meaning: Describing the manner, degree, or extreme result of an action/state

Pattern

At HSK 4, complements with 得 cover both manner/evaluation (e.g., 他汉语说得非常流利 — "He speaks Chinese very fluently") and extreme degree/result after an adjective or verb (e.g., 她高兴得跳了起来 — "She was so happy that she jumped up"; 外面冷得不得了 — "It is terribly cold outside").
When the verb has an object, either front the object (他汉语说得很好) or repeat the verb (他说汉语说得很好).
For negation of manner complements, place 不 after 得 (说得不好).
Distinguish this from potential complements: in degree/manner complements, 得 introduces an assessment or result clause; in potential complements, 得 pairs with 不 to mean "can/cannot".

1
他汉语说得非常流利。
Tā Hànyǔ shuō de fēicháng liúlì.
He speaks Chinese very fluently.
2
她高兴得跳了起来。
Tā gāoxìng de tiào le qǐlái.
She was so happy that she jumped up.
3
我累得说不出话来。
Wǒ lèi de shuō bù chū huà lái.
I was so tired that I couldn't utter a word.
4
外面冷得不得了。

•Distinguish 得 in degree/manner complements (describing state/degree) from 得 in potential complements ("can").

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

•Placing 得 directly after the object (*他说汉语得很好) instead of repeating the verb or fronting the object.

•Placing 不 before the verb instead of after 得 when negating a manner complement.

Combine Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Practice, Listening, Hanzi Writing, and Mock Exams at HSK 4 to master all skills together.