HSK 3
可能补语1：动词+得/不+动词/形容词；动词+得/不+了
kě néng bǔ yǔ 1 ： dòng cí + de / bù + dòng cí / xíng róng cí ； dòng cí + de / bù + liǎo
Potential complement 1
Explanation
This is the potential complement (可能补语 (kěnéng bǔyǔ)) — a complement (complement → an element placed after a verb/adjective to add result, degree, or direction) that indicates whether an action can be accomplished or not.
(1) verb + 得 (de) / 不 (bù) + verb or adjective — 听得懂 (able to understand by listening), 洗不干净 (unable to wash clean); (2) verb + 得 / 不 + 了 (liǎo) — 参加得了 (able to participate), 上不了课 (unable to attend class). 得 indicates "can", 不 indicates "cannot".
when talking about the ability or the conditions that permit/do not permit doing something (whether you can understand it, whether you can finish it).
don't confuse it with 能/不能 (néng – can). The potential complement is attached to the verb (吃得完 – able to finish eating) and emphasizes whether the action itself achieves a result; the negative form of "verb + 得 + result" is NOT to add 没 but to change 得 into 不 (听得懂 → 听不懂, you don't say 没听得懂).
Vietnamese learners often move "不" out to before the verb out of habit (incorrect: 不听懂) instead of inserting it in the middle (听不懂); and 了 here is read liǎo meaning "able to/can", different from 了 (le) which indicates completion.
Examples
I can understand everything the teacher says.
This piece of clothing is too dirty; it can't be washed clean anymore.
Can you participate in tomorrow's competition?
I'm sick, so I can't attend class tomorrow.
Practice
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Learn “可能补语1：动词+得/不+动词/形容词；动词+得/不+了” effectively
The grammar point “可能补语1：动词+得/不+动词/形容词；动词+得/不+了” (Potential complement 1) is one of the key structures at HSK 3. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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