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01
Verb + 得 / 不 + result
A potential complement tells us if a result is possible in the situation. Put 得 (de) for “can achieve the result” and 不 (bu) for “cannot.”
VERB
听
tīng · listen
得 / 不
得 / 不
de / bu · can / cannot
RESULT
懂
dǒng · understand
Verb + 得 + result = can · Verb + 不 + result = cannot
Can understand
我听得懂。
Wǒ tīng de dǒng.
I can understand what I hear.
Cannot understand
我听不懂。
Wǒ tīng bu dǒng.
I cannot understand what I hear.
Can finish
今天的作业我做得完。
Jīntiān de zuòyè wǒ zuò de wán.
I can finish today’s homework.
Cannot finish
作业太多了，我做不完。
Zuòyè tài duō le, wǒ zuò bu wán.
There is too much homework; I can’t finish it.
💡 Here 得 is pronounced de (neutral tone). In many potential complements, 不 is pronounced bu (neutral tone). These are not ordinary standalone words in the pattern.
02
More results: see, hear, lift, enter
Use the same frame with other results. Context matters: “cannot” may reflect the conditions, not a permanent lack of ability.
VERB
看
kàn · look / read
POTENTIAL
不
bu · cannot
RESULT
懂
dǒng · understand
看不懂 = cannot understand written material
Can see/hear
你听得见吗？
Nǐ tīng de jiàn ma?
Can you hear it?
Cannot hear
太吵了，我听不见。
Tài chǎo le, wǒ tīng bu jiàn.
It’s too noisy; I can’t hear.
Cannot lift
这个箱子太重了，我拿不动。
Zhège xiāngzi tài zhòng le, wǒ ná bu dòng.
This suitcase is too heavy; I can’t lift it.
Can understand text
这篇文章不难，我看得懂。
Zhè piān wénzhāng bù nán, wǒ kàn de dǒng.
This article isn’t difficult; I can understand it.
💡 You can also ask a potential question with verb + 得 + result + 吗, such as 听得懂吗？
03
A result that failed vs. a result that is impossible
This difference is important: 没听懂 reports what happened; 听不懂 states that understanding is not possible in that context.
This time, I did not understand
我没听懂。
Wǒ méi tīngdǒng.
I didn’t understand what I heard.
I cannot understand it
我听不懂。
Wǒ tīng bu dǒng.
I can’t understand what I hear.
Did not finish
我没做完。
Wǒ méi zuòwán.
I did not finish it.
Cannot finish
我做不完。
Wǒ zuò bu wán.
I can’t finish it (in this situation).
04
Common mistakes to avoid
✗ Do not separate verb and complement incorrectly
我不看懂。
Wǒ bù kàn dǒng.
Not the natural potential complement for “I can’t understand what I read.”
✓ Insert 不 between verb and result
我看不懂。
Wǒ kàn bu dǒng.
I can’t understand what I read.
✗ 得 must be in the complement position
我得听懂。
Wǒ děi tīngdǒng.
This usually means “I must understand,” not “I can understand.”
✓ Verb + 得 + result
我听得懂。
Wǒ tīng de dǒng.
I can understand what I hear.
05
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06
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07
Speak like a real person!
Talk about tasks that are possible or impossible for you right now—and what you managed to finish.
Explain that you cannot understand a sentence you hear.
Tell someone you can read an easy article.
Say you cannot finish an assignment today.
Contrast “I didn’t understand” and “I can’t understand.”
Show sample answers ↓
Listening
我听不懂这句话。
Wǒ tīng bu dǒng zhè jù huà.
I can’t understand this sentence when I hear it.
Reading
这篇文章我看得懂。
Zhè piān wénzhāng wǒ kàn de dǒng.
I can understand this article.
Too much work
作业太多了，我做不完。
Zuòyè tài duō le, wǒ zuò bu wán.
There is too much homework; I can’t finish.
Outcome / ability
我没听懂。/ 我听不懂。
Wǒ méi tīngdǒng. / Wǒ tīng bu dǒng.
I didn’t understand. / I can’t understand.
Takeaway 🌸
Verb + 得 + result = can · Verb + 不 + result = cannot
