HSK 5
可能补语2：动词+得/不得
kě néng bǔ yǔ 2 ： dòng cí + de / bù de
Potential complement 2: Verb + 得/不得
Explanation
This is a special type of potential complement (a component after the verb indicating the feasibility of the action): verb + 得 (de) / 不得 (bù de), expressing whether something is permitted / advisable to do, usually judged in terms of morality, rules, or consequences.
verb + 得 de = may/should (be) done; verb + 不得 bù de = must not, should not be done.
Mainly used in the negative form 不得 to advise or warn that doing something will have a bad consequence (吃不得 = can't be eaten because it's poisonous, 拿不得 = can't be taken because it's dangerous, 说不得 = can't be said because it's wrong). The character 可 (kě) is added to strengthen the tone.
不得 (bù de) here differs from the ordinary potential complement (like 拿不动 ná bù dòng = can't lift it because it's heavy): 不得 stresses 'not permitted / should not', leaning toward rules and consequences, rather than lacking the strength to do it.
Vietnamese learners tend to translate mechanically as 'cannot eat/take' in the sense of ability; in fact the meaning is 'should not/must not'. Note also that 得 in this meaning is read as 'de'.
Examples
Whether this kind of medicine may be taken or not, you have to listen to the doctor.
You mustn't touch these things; they're very dangerous.
This kind of unprincipled talk simply must not be said.
Practice
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The grammar point “可能补语2：动词+得/不得” (Potential complement 2: Verb + 得/不得) is one of the key structures at HSK 5. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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