Complements

• 18 Complements

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  Original teaching practice. Read one pattern, cover its model and try the questions before checking the separate answer section. Examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA) retain the course-reference provenance.

  Advanced degree complements ((degree marker)得de + degree / adjective linker很hěn / to cause sb's death要命yào mìng …)

  After a twenty-kilometre hike

  • You finally reach the hostel after walking all day in the mountains.
  • 我累wǒ lèi(degree marker)得deto cause sb's death要命yào mìng，what什么shén meall / both都dōuunexpectedly不想bù xiǎngto make做zuò(completed / change)了le。 — "I'm dead tired; I don't feel like doing anything."

  Adj + (degree marker)得de + degree / adjective linker很hěn / to cause sb's death要命yào mìng / won't do不行bù xíng / desperately serious不得了bù dé le

  • These degree complements push an adjective to a high degree: good好hǎo(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn, rope累lèi(degree marker)得deto cause sb's death要命yào mìng, 饿得è déwon't do不行bù xíng, busy忙máng(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le.
  • They all follow the pattern Adj + (degree marker)得de + complement and end the clause.

  I我wǒhungry饿è得deunbearably不行bù xíng了le。

  

  Different flavours

  • (degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn: emphatic but mild — here这里zhè lǐquiet安静ān jìng(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn. (degree marker)得deto cause sb's death要命yào mìng / (degree marker)得dewon't do不行bù xíng: very colloquial, often a complaint — 疼得téng déto cause sb's death要命yào mìng.
  • (degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le: very strong, good or bad — happy高兴gāo xìng(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le.

  he他tātooth牙yáaching疼téng得deterribly要命yào mìng。

  Not literal, and no extra degree / adjective linker很hěn

  • to cause sb's death要命yào mìng does not mean real danger: 冷得lěng déto cause sb's death要命yào mìng just means "freezing".
  • No degree / adjective linker很hěn before the adjective: rope累lèi(degree marker)得deto cause sb's death要命yào mìng, not 很累hěn lèi(degree marker)得deto cause sb's death要命yào mìng.

  Versus the plain degree adverb

  • very非常fēi chángrope累lèi / unusual特别tè biérope累lèi are neutral and fine in writing.
  • The (degree marker)得de complements sound spoken and expressive; keep them out of formal essays.

  I我wǒtoday今天jīn tiānvery非常fēi chángtired累lèi。

  Recap

  • Adj + (degree marker)得de + degree / adjective linker很hěn / to cause sb's death要命yào mìng / won't do不行bù xíng / desperately serious不得了bù dé le = very, extremely (spoken, expressive).
  • Not literal; no degree / adjective linker很hěn before; use very非常fēi cháng in writing.

  Practise this pattern step by step.

  Verb + (degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le / (as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo (can / can't manage)

  Too much food

  • Your host keeps adding dishes to the table, far more than two people can eat.
  • so much这么zhè me多菜duō cài，we / us我们wǒ menvariant of 吃吃chī(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo。 — "This much food — we can't possibly eat it all."

  Verb + (degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le / (as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo (liǎo)

  • Verb + (degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le = can manage it; Verb + (as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo = can't manage it: to go去qù(degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le / to go去qù(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo, 吃得了chī dé le / variant of 吃吃chī(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo.
  • (completed / change)了le here is read liǎo ("finish, manage").

  tomorrow明天míng tiānI我wǒam busy有事yǒu shì，go去qùcan't不了bu liǎo。

  

  Ability, quantity, endurance

  • Quantity: 一个yí gèperson人rénvariant of 吃吃chī(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎoso much这么zhè memany多duō。 — "One person can't eat this much."
  • Endurance: so much这么zhè meto warm up热rè(modifier / structural particle)的deday天tiān，I / me我wǒunbearable受不了shòu bù liǎo。 — "I can't stand this heat."

  so这么zhè mehot热rè的deweather天tiān，I我wǒcan't stand受不了shòu bu liǎo。

  Read it liǎo

  • In variant of 吃吃chī(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo / to go去qù(degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le, (completed / change)了le = liǎo, not the particle le.
  • Ask with both forms: you你nǐto go去qù(degree marker)得de(completed / change)了leto go去qù(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo？ or you你nǐto go去qù(degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le(yes/no ?)吗ma？

  (as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo versus not不bùto finish完wán and cannot不能bù néng

  • 吃不完chī bù wán = can't finish (the food is left over); variant of 吃吃chī(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo = can't manage (too much, or unable).
  • cannot不能bù néng = not allowed or not able in general: you你nǐcannot不能bù néngto go去qù — "You can't (aren't allowed to) go."

  food菜càitoo太tàimuch多duō，eat吃chī(can't)不bufinish完wán。

  Recap

  • Verb + (degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le / (as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo (liǎo) = can / can't manage: to go去qù(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo, variant of 吃吃chī(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo, unbearable受不了shòu bù liǎo.
  • not不bùto finish完wán means unable to finish; cannot不能bù néng can express inability or prohibition, depending on context.

  Practise this pattern step by step.

  Result complements to live住zhù / to open (transitive or…开kāi / (after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái

  Hold on tight

  • You are helping your little sister learn to ride a bike.
  • to grab hold of抓住zhuā zhùhandle把手bǎ shǒu，don't别biéto release松开sōng kāi！ — "Hold on to the handlebars, don't let go!"

  Verb + to live住zhù = fix, hold firmly

  • to live住zhù makes the result stable: to grab hold of抓住zhuā zhù (grab hold), to remember记住jì zhù (memorise), to stand站住zhàn zhù (stop), to stop拦住lán zhù (block).
  • to remember记住jì zhùI / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的de电话号码diàn huà hào mǎ。 — "Remember my phone number."

  please请qǐngremember记住jì zhùmy我wǒ的dephone电话diàn huànumber号码hào mǎ。

  

  Verb + to open (transitive or…开kāi / (after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái

  • to open (transitive or…开kāi = open or separate: to open打开dǎ kāi (open), to pull open拉开lā kāi (pull open), to leave走开zǒu kāi (go away), to depart离开lí kāi (leave).
  • (after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái = come out, emerge, or be recognised: want / think / miss想xiǎng(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái (come up with), to see看kàn(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái (tell, make out), to write写xiě(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái (write out).

  I我wǒsee看kàn(make out)出来chū laihe他tānot不bùhappy高兴gāo xìng。

  Potential forms

  • can't remember记不住jì bú zhù = can't remember; 打不开dǎ bù kāi = can't open; want / think / miss想xiǎngnot不bù(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái = can't think of it.
  • (after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái can split around an object: want / think / miss想xiǎngvariant of 出 (classifier…出chū一个yí gèmeans办法bàn fǎto come来lái / want / think / miss想xiǎng(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái一个yí gèmeans办法bàn fǎ.

  to see看kàn(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái versus to see看见kàn jiàn

  • to see看见kàn jiàn = see (with the eyes): I / me我wǒto see看见kàn jiànhe / him他tā(completed / change)了le.
  • to see看kàn(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái = work out, notice from clues: I / me我wǒto see看kàn(after a verb, indicates…出来chū láihe / him他tāat / in在zàito lie说谎shuō huǎng — "I could tell he was lying."

  I我wǒsaw看见kàn jiànhim他tā了le。

  Recap

  • to live住zhù = fix firmly (to remember记住jì zhù, to grab hold of抓住zhuā zhù); to open (transitive or…开kāi = open / apart / away (to open打开dǎ kāi, to depart离开lí kāi); (after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái = come out / be recognised (want / think / miss想xiǎng(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái, to see看kàn(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái).
  • Potential: can't remember记不住jì bú zhù, 打不开dǎ bù kāi, want / think / miss想xiǎngnot不bù(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái.

  Practise this pattern step by step.

  Verb / Adj + bad坏huài(completed / change)了le (broken / to an extreme)

  Worn out

  • Your mum comes home after a twelve-hour shift and collapses on the sofa.
  • today今天jīn tiānused in 可汗可kě(把: marks the object)把bǎI / me我wǒto become exhausted累坏lèi huài(completed / change)了le！ — "Today absolutely wore me out!"

  Verb + bad坏huài = broken (a result)

  • Verb + bad坏huài((completed / change)了le) = the action broke something: to drop and break摔坏shuāi huài (broke by dropping), to use / with用yòngbad坏huài (wore out by using), to ruin弄坏nòng huài (damaged).
  • I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的decell phone手机shǒu jīto drop and break摔坏shuāi huài(completed / change)了le。 — "I dropped my phone and broke it."

  my我wǒ的dephone手机shǒu jīdrop摔shuāibroken坏huài了le。

  

  Adj / feeling + bad坏huài(completed / change)了le = extremely

  • With feelings and states, bad坏huài(completed / change)了le means "terribly": to become exhausted累坏lèi huài(completed / change)了le, 饿坏è huài(completed / change)了le, 急坏jí huài(completed / change)了le, happy高兴gāo xìngbad坏huài(completed / change)了le.
  • to hear听到tīng dàothis这个zhè genews消息xiāo xī，she / her她tāhappy高兴gāo xìngbad坏huài(completed / change)了le。 — "When she heard the news, she was thrilled."

  hearing听到tīng dàothis这个zhè genews消息xiāo xi，she她tāhappy高兴gāo xìngextremely坏了huài le。

  Which meaning?

  • Action verb + bad坏huài = something is physically broken: computer电脑diàn nǎoto wear out (tools)用坏yòng huài(completed / change)了le.
  • Feeling / state + bad坏huài(completed / change)了le = an extreme degree, nothing broken: 饿坏è huài(completed / change)了le. (completed / change)了le is usually needed.

  With (把: marks the object)把bǎ

  • bad坏huài results often appear in (把: marks the object)把bǎ sentences: younger brother弟弟dì di(把: marks the object)把bǎI / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的despectacles眼镜yǎn jìng弄坏了nòng huài le。 — "My brother broke my glasses."
  • used in 可汗可kě(把: marks the object)把bǎ…bad坏huài(completed / change)了le is a common spoken frame: used in 可汗可kě(把: marks the object)把bǎI / me我wǒ急坏jí huài(completed / change)了le — "I was worried sick."

  my brother弟弟dì di把bǎmy我wǒ的deglasses眼镜yǎn jìngbroke弄坏nòng huài了le。

  Recap

  • Action verb + bad坏huài((completed / change)了le) = broken by that action (to drop and break摔坏shuāi huài, to ruin弄坏nòng huài).
  • Feeling / state + bad坏huài(completed / change)了le = extremely (to become exhausted累坏lèi huài(completed / change)了le, happy高兴gāo xìngbad坏huài(completed / change)了le); used in 可汗可kě(把: marks the object)把bǎI / me我wǒ…bad坏huài(completed / change)了le is spoken.

  Practise this pattern step by step.

  Verb + (ongoing -ing)着zhe (zháo) (managed to / succeeded)

  Finally asleep

  • You tossed and turned for hours before you managed to sleep.
  • I / me我wǒ两点liǎng diǎnonly then / not until才cáito fall asleep睡着shuì zháo。 — "I didn't get to sleep until two."

  Verb + (ongoing -ing)着zhe (zháo) = succeed in

  • (ongoing -ing)着zhe zháo after a verb marks success in reaching the goal: to fall asleep睡着shuì zháo (fall asleep), to try to find找zhǎo(ongoing -ing)着zhe (find), to buy买mǎi(ongoing -ing)着zhe (manage to buy).
  • It is read zháo, not zhe.

  the keys钥匙yào shifound找着zhǎo zháo了le吗ma？

  

  Potential and negative forms

  • 睡不着shuì bù zhe = can't get to sleep: I / me我wǒ太紧张tài jǐn zhāng(completed / change)了le，睡不着shuì bù zhe.
  • 没找méi zhǎo(ongoing -ing)着zhe = didn't manage to find: I / me我wǒto try to find找zhǎo(completed / change)了lehalf of the day半天bàn tiānalso也yěnot / haven't没méito try to find找zhǎo(ongoing -ing)着zhe.

  I我wǒtoo太tàinervous紧张jǐn zhāng了le，can't sleep睡不着shuì bu zháo。

  zháo versus zhe

  • to fall asleep睡着shuì zháo (shuì zháo) = fall asleep (the goal reached); to fall asleep睡着shuì zháo (shuì zhe) = in a sleeping state — context and reading tell them apart.
  • For finding, to find找到zhǎo dào is more common in the north and standard; to try to find找zhǎo(ongoing -ing)着zhe is spoken.

  (ongoing -ing)着zhe (zháo) versus to / arrive到dào

  • Both mark success: to try to find找zhǎo(ongoing -ing)着zhe = to find找到zhǎo dào, to buy买mǎi(ongoing -ing)着zhe = to buy买mǎito / arrive到dào.
  • to fall asleep睡着shuì zháo has no to / arrive到dào version: to sleep睡shuìto / arrive到dào means "sleep until": to sleep睡shuìto / arrive到dào十点shí diǎn.

  I我wǒlook for找zhǎo(found)到dào了le。

  Recap

  • Verb + (ongoing -ing)着zhe (zháo) = succeed in (to fall asleep睡着shuì zháo, to try to find找zhǎo(ongoing -ing)着zhe); negatives 睡不着shuì bù zhe / 没找méi zhǎo(ongoing -ing)着zhe.
  • Read zháo; often interchangeable with to / arrive到dào, except to fall asleep睡着shuì zháo.

  Practise this pattern step by step.

  Verb + to / arrive到dào (succeed in reaching)

  Got the tickets!

  • Concert tickets sold out in two minutes, but you clicked fast enough.
  • I / me我wǒto buy买mǎito / arrive到dàoticket票piào(completed / change)了le！ — "I managed to get tickets!"

  Verb + to / arrive到dào = reach the goal

  • Verb + to / arrive到dào marks that an action reached its goal: to buy买mǎito / arrive到dào, to find找到zhǎo dào, to see看到kàn dào, to hear听到tīng dào, to receive收到shōu dào.
  • you你nǐto receive收到shōu dàoI / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的demail邮件yóu jiàn(completed / change)了le(yes/no ?)吗ma？ — "Did you get my email?"

  you你nǐreceive收到shōu dàomy我wǒ的deemail邮件yóu jiàn了le吗ma？

  

  Reaching a place, time or degree

  • Place: he / him他tāto walk走zǒuto / arrive到dàodoorway门口mén kǒu。 — "He walked to the door."
  • Degree: we / us我们wǒ men聊到liáo dàodegree / adjective linker很hěnevening晚wǎn。 — "We chatted until very late."

  we我们wǒ menchat聊liáountil到dàovery很hěnlate晚wǎn。

  Searching versus finding

  • to try to find找zhǎo = look for; to find找到zhǎo dào = find. I / me我wǒto try to find找zhǎo(completed / change)了le，but可是kě shìnot / haven't没méito find找到zhǎo dào — "I looked but didn't find it."
  • Negate with not / haven't没méi: 没买méi mǎito / arrive到dào; potential: 买不到mǎi bú dào / to buy买mǎito get得到dé dào.

  to see看kàn / to see看到kàn dào / to see看见kàn jiàn

  • to see看kàn = look at (the action); to see看到kàn dào / to see看见kàn jiàn = see (the result).
  • to listen to听tīng = listen; to hear听到tīng dào / to hear听见tīng jiàn = hear: I / me我wǒto hear听到tīng dàosomeone有人yǒu rénto knock on a door敲门qiāo mén.

  I我wǒheard听到tīng dàosomeone有人yǒu rénknock敲门qiāo mén。

  Recap

  • Verb + to / arrive到dào = the action reached its goal (to buy买mǎito / arrive到dào, to find找到zhǎo dào, to receive收到shōu dào) or a place / time (to walk走zǒuto / arrive到dào, 聊到liáo dàodegree / adjective linker很hěnevening晚wǎn).
  • to try to find找zhǎo = search, to find找到zhǎo dào = find; negative not / haven't没méi…to / arrive到dào, potential …not to arrive不到bú dào.

  Practise this pattern step by step.

  Verb + to come来lái + Verb + to go去qù (back and forth)

  A restless dog before the storm

  • Your dog can't settle before the storm and keeps pacing around the living room.
  • it它tāat / in在zàidrawing room (room for…客厅kè tīngli, ancient measure of…里lǐ走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qù。 — "It keeps pacing back and forth in the living room."

  Verb + to come来lái + Verb + to go去qù

  • Vto come来láiVto go去qù = do something repeatedly, back and forth: 走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qù, to scamper跑来跑去pǎo lái pǎo qù, to fly about飞来飞去fēi lái fēi qù.
  • The same verb repeats; to come来lái and to go去qù show movement in different directions.

  the children孩子们hái zi menin在zàithe park公园gōng yuán(in)里lirun跑pǎo(here)来láirun跑pǎo(there)去qù。

  

  Repeating with no result

  • With thinking and talking, it often means "over and over, without getting anywhere": I / me我wǒ想来想去xiǎng lái xiǎng qù，or / still还是hái shìto decide (to do something)决定jué dìng不去bù qù(completed / change)了le。 — "I thought it over and over and decided not to go after all."
  • they他们tā men说来说去shuō lái shuō qùor / still还是hái shìthat那nà几句话jǐ jù huà。 — "They kept going round in circles saying the same things."

  I我wǒthink想xiǎng(over)来láithink想xiǎng(and over)去qù，after all还是hái shidecided决定jué dìngnot不búgo去qù了le。

  Same verb, one syllable

  • Use the same verb in both places: 走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qù, not 走来zǒu láito run跑pǎoto go去qù.
  • It describes a repeated activity, so it rarely takes a result complement: 走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qù, not 走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qùto finish完wán.

  Versus to make a round trip来回lái huí

  • to make a round trip来回lái huí + verb also means back and forth: he / him他tāat / in在zàidoorway门口mén kǒuto make a round trip来回lái huíto walk走zǒu.
  • to make a round trip来回lái huí can be a noun: 一个yí gèto make a round trip来回lái huí — "a round trip".

  he他tāat在zàithe door门口mén kǒuback and forth来回lái huíwalk走zǒu。

  Recap

  • Vto come来láiVto go去qù = do repeatedly, back and forth (走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qù); with want / think / miss想xiǎng / variant of 说说shuō = over and over.
  • Same verb twice; to make a round trip来回lái huí + verb is a near equivalent.

  Practise this pattern step by step.

  Practice without the models

  Advanced degree complements ((degree marker)得de + degree / adjective linker很hěn / to cause sb's death要命yào mìng …)

  1801.1 Complete: “I'm starving.” I / me我wǒto be hungry饿è…………won't do不行bù xíng(completed / change)了le。

  1801.2 Which suits a formal essay?

  • A. this这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tí难死nán sǐ(completed / change)了le。
  • B. this这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tíseldom难得nán déwon't do不行bù xíng。
  • C. this这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tívery非常fēi chángdifficult / hard难nán。
  • D. this这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tíseldom难得nán déto cause sb's death要命yào mìng。

  1801.3 Match each phrase to its meaning.

  • 1. 疼得téng déto cause sb's death要命yào mìng
  • 2. quiet安静ān jìng(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn
  • 3. happy高兴gāo xìng(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le

  • A. hurts terribly

  • B. over the moon

  • C. really quiet

  1801.4 冷得lěng déto cause sb's death要命yào mìng means it is literally dangerously cold.

  True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

  1801.5 You finally reach the hostel after walking all day in the mountains. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

  Write or say your own response before reading the key.

  Verb + (degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le / (as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo (can / can't manage)

  1802.1 Complete: “I'm ill tomorrow, so I can't come.” I / me我wǒtomorrow明天míng tiānillness病bìng(completed / change)了le，to come来lái…………(completed / change)了le。

  1802.2 How is (completed / change)了le read in unbearable受不了shòu bù liǎo?

  • A. lài
  • B. le
  • C. lā
  • D. liǎo

  1802.3 Build: “I can't stand this heat.”

  Arrange all chunks: so much这么zhè meto warm up热rè(modifier / structural particle)的deday天tiān / unbearable受不了shòu bù liǎo。 / ， / I / me我wǒ

  1802.4 you你nǐcannot不能bù néngto go去qù is about permission; you你nǐto go去qù(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo is about being able.

  True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

  1802.5 Your host keeps adding dishes to the table, far more than two people can eat. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

  Write or say your own response before reading the key.

  Result complements to live住zhù / to open (transitive or…开kāi / (after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái

  1803.1 Complete: “Remember: the meeting is at nine.” to record记jì…………：meeting会议huì yì九点jiǔ diǎnto start开始kāi shǐ。

  1803.2 “I can't open this bottle.” Which is correct?

  • A. this这个zhè gebottle瓶子píng ziI / me我wǒ打不开dǎ bù kāi。
  • B. this这个zhè gebottle瓶子píng ziI / me我wǒnot不bùto open打开dǎ kāi。
  • C. this这个zhè gebottle瓶子píng ziI / me我wǒcannot不能bù néng(of a sports competition or…开打kāi dǎ。
  • D. this这个zhè gebottle瓶子píng ziI / me我wǒto open打开dǎ kāinot不bù。

  1803.3 Match each verb to its meaning.

  • 1. to grab hold of抓住zhuā zhù
  • 2. to depart离开lí kāi
  • 3. want / think / miss想xiǎng(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái
  • 4. to see看kàn(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái

  • A. tell, make out

  • B. come up with

  • C. grab hold of

  • D. leave

  1803.4 to see看kàn(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái and to see看见kàn jiàn mean the same.

  True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

  1803.5 You are helping your little sister learn to ride a bike. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

  Write or say your own response before reading the key.

  Verb / Adj + bad坏huài(completed / change)了le (broken / to an extreme)

  1804.1 Complete: “The kids are starving.” child孩子hái zi(plural)们mento be hungry饿è…………(completed / change)了le。

  1804.2 In computer电脑diàn nǎoto wear out (tools)用坏yòng huài(completed / change)了le, what does bad坏huài express?

  • A. someone was angry
  • B. the computer broke from use
  • C. the computer is bad quality
  • D. extremely

  1804.3 Build: “My brother broke my glasses.”

  Arrange all chunks: younger brother弟弟dì di / to ruin弄坏nòng huài / (把: marks the object)把bǎI / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的despectacles眼镜yǎn jìng / (completed / change)了le。

  1804.4 In happy高兴gāo xìngbad坏huài(completed / change)了le, something is broken.

  True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

  1804.5 Your mum comes home after a twelve-hour shift and collapses on the sofa. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

  Write or say your own response before reading the key.

  Verb + (ongoing -ing)着zhe (zháo) (managed to / succeeded)

  1805.1 Complete: “I'm too nervous; I can't get to sleep.” I / me我wǒ太紧张tài jǐn zhāng(completed / change)了le，to sleep睡shuìnot不bù…………。

  1805.2 How is (ongoing -ing)着zhe read in I / me我wǒ两点liǎng diǎnonly then / not until才cáito fall asleep睡着shuì zháo?

  • A. zhuó
  • B. zháo
  • C. zhe
  • D. zhāo

  1805.3 Build: “Did you find the keys?”

  Arrange all chunks: (completed / change)了le / key钥匙yào shi / to try to find找zhǎo(ongoing -ing)着zhe / (yes/no ?)吗ma？

  1805.4 to sleep睡shuìto / arrive到dào十点shí diǎn means “fell asleep at ten”.

  True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

  1805.5 You tossed and turned for hours before you managed to sleep. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

  Write or say your own response before reading the key.

  Verb + to / arrive到dào (succeed in reaching)

  1806.1 Complete: “I looked for it for ages but didn't find it.” I / me我wǒto try to find找zhǎo(completed / change)了lehalf of the day半天bàn tiānalso也yěnot / haven't没méito try to find找zhǎo…………。

  1806.2 Which says “I can't get hold of this book anywhere”?

  • A. this这zhè本书běn shūwhere哪儿nǎrall / both都dōuto buy买mǎito / arrive到dàonot不bù。
  • B. this这zhè本书běn shūwhere哪儿nǎrall / both都dōunot不bùto buy买mǎito / arrive到dào。
  • C. this这zhè本书běn shūwhere哪儿nǎrall / both都dōunot / haven't没méito buy买mǎi。
  • D. this这zhè本书běn shūwhere哪儿nǎrall / both都dōu买不到mǎi bú dào。

  1806.3 Build: “We chatted until very late.”

  Arrange all chunks: 聊到liáo dào / we / us我们wǒ men / degree / adjective linker很hěnevening晚wǎn。

  1806.4 to listen to听tīng means “listen” and to hear听到tīng dào means “hear”.

  True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

  1806.5 Concert tickets sold out in two minutes, but you clicked fast enough. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

  Write or say your own response before reading the key.

  Verb + to come来lái + Verb + to go去qù (back and forth)

  1807.1 Complete: “Birds are flying back and forth.” bird鸟儿niǎo ér飞来fēi láito fly飞fēi…………。

  1807.2 Which is correct?

  • A. he / him他tā走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qù。
  • B. he / him他tā走来zǒu láito run跑pǎoto go去qù。
  • C. he / him他tāto walk走zǒuto go去qù走来zǒu lái(completed / change)了leto finish完wán。
  • D. 他来tā láito walk走zǒuto go去qùto walk走zǒu。

  1807.3 Build: “I thought it over and over and decided not to go.”

  Arrange all chunks: or / still还是hái shìto decide (to do something)决定jué dìng / ， / 不去bù qù(completed / change)了le。 / I / me我wǒ想来想去xiǎng lái xiǎng qù

  1807.4 一个yí gèto make a round trip来回lái huí means “a round trip”.

  True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

  1807.5 Your dog can't settle before the storm and keeps pacing around the living room. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

  Write or say your own response before reading the key.

  Answers and explanations

  Advanced degree complements ((degree marker)得de + degree / adjective linker很hěn / to cause sb's death要命yào mìng …)

  1801.1 (degree marker)得de

  Adj + (degree marker)得de + won't do不行bù xíng.

  1801.2 C. this这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tívery非常fēi chángdifficult / hard难nán。

  The (degree marker)得de complements are colloquial; essays use very非常fēi cháng.

  1801.3 1–A: 疼得téng déto cause sb's death要命yào mìng = hurts terribly; 2–C: quiet安静ān jìng(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěn = really quiet; 3–B: happy高兴gāo xìng(degree marker)得dedesperately serious不得了bù dé le = over the moon

  All are degree complements with different flavours.

  1801.4 False.

  to cause sb's death要命yào mìng is just an intensifier here.

  1801.5 One possible response: 我累wǒ lèi(degree marker)得deto cause sb's death要命yào mìng，what什么shén meall / both都dōuunexpectedly不想bù xiǎngto make做zuò(completed / change)了le。

  Check meaning and form:

  • My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
  • I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
  • to cause sb's death要命yào mìng does not mean real danger: 冷得lěng déto cause sb's death要命yào mìng just means "freezing".
  • No degree / adjective linker很hěn before the adjective: rope累lèi(degree marker)得deto cause sb's death要命yào mìng, not 很累hěn lèi(degree marker)得deto cause sb's death要命yào mìng.
  • I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

  This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

  Verb + (degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le / (as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo (can / can't manage)

  1802.1 not不bù

  Verb + (as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo = can't manage.

  1802.2 D. liǎo

  In potential complements (degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le / (as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo (“can / can't manage”), (completed / change)了le is read liǎo: unbearable受不了shòu bù liǎo shòu bu liǎo “can't stand it”. The particle le is a different use.

  1802.3 so much这么zhè meto warm up热rè(modifier / structural particle)的deday天tiān，I / me我wǒunbearable受不了shòu bù liǎo。

  Topic, then subject + unbearable受不了shòu bù liǎo.

  1802.4 True.

  cannot不能bù néng can be a rule; to go去qù(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo says it is impossible.

  1802.5 One possible response: so much这么zhè me多菜duō cài，we / us我们wǒ menvariant of 吃吃chī(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo。

  Check meaning and form:

  • My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
  • I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
  • In variant of 吃吃chī(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo / to go去qù(degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le, (completed / change)了le = liǎo, not the particle le.
  • Ask with both forms: you你nǐto go去qù(degree marker)得de(completed / change)了leto go去qù(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo？ or you你nǐto go去qù(degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le(yes/no ?)吗ma？
  • I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

  This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

  Result complements to live住zhù / to open (transitive or…开kāi / (after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái

  1803.1 to live住zhù

  to remember记住jì zhù = remember (fix in memory).

  1803.2 A. this这个zhè gebottle瓶子píng ziI / me我wǒ打不开dǎ bù kāi。

  Potential complement: 打不开dǎ bù kāi.

  1803.3 1–C: to grab hold of抓住zhuā zhù = grab hold of; 2–D: to depart离开lí kāi = leave; 3–B: want / think / miss想xiǎng(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái = come up with; 4–A: to see看kàn(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái = tell, make out

  to live住zhù fixes, to open (transitive or…开kāi separates, (after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái brings out.

  1803.4 False.

  to see看见kàn jiàn = see; to see看kàn(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái = work out from clues.

  1803.5 One possible response: to grab hold of抓住zhuā zhùhandle把手bǎ shǒu，don't别biéto release松开sōng kāi！

  Check meaning and form:

  • My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
  • I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
  • can't remember记不住jì bú zhù = can't remember; 打不开dǎ bù kāi = can't open; want / think / miss想xiǎngnot不bù(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái = can't think of it.
  • (after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái can split around an object: want / think / miss想xiǎngvariant of 出 (classifier…出chū一个yí gèmeans办法bàn fǎto come来lái / want / think / miss想xiǎng(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái一个yí gèmeans办法bàn fǎ.
  • I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

  This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

  Verb / Adj + bad坏huài(completed / change)了le (broken / to an extreme)

  1804.1 bad坏huài

  Feeling / state + bad坏huài(completed / change)了le = extremely.

  1804.2 B. the computer broke from use

  Action verb + bad坏huài = broken by that action.

  1804.3 younger brother弟弟dì di(把: marks the object)把bǎI / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的despectacles眼镜yǎn jìng弄坏了nòng huài le。

  (把: marks the object)把bǎ + object + verb + bad坏huài + (completed / change)了le.

  1804.4 False.

  With feelings, bad坏huài(completed / change)了le just means “extremely”.

  1804.5 One possible response: today今天jīn tiānused in 可汗可kě(把: marks the object)把bǎI / me我wǒto become exhausted累坏lèi huài(completed / change)了le！

  Check meaning and form:

  • My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
  • I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
  • Action verb + bad坏huài = something is physically broken: computer电脑diàn nǎoto wear out (tools)用坏yòng huài(completed / change)了le.
  • Feeling / state + bad坏huài(completed / change)了le = an extreme degree, nothing broken: 饿坏è huài(completed / change)了le. (completed / change)了le is usually needed.
  • I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

  This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

  Verb + (ongoing -ing)着zhe (zháo) (managed to / succeeded)

  1805.1 (ongoing -ing)着zhe

  睡不着shuì bù zhe = can't fall asleep.

  1805.2 B. zháo

  Success in reaching the goal = zháo.

  1805.3 key钥匙yào shito try to find找zhǎo(ongoing -ing)着zhe(completed / change)了le(yes/no ?)吗ma？

  Verb + (ongoing -ing)着zhe (zháo) + (completed / change)了le.

  1805.4 False.

  False. to / arrive到dào after a verb shows the end point in time: to sleep睡shuìto / arrive到dào十点shí diǎn means “slept until ten”. “Fell asleep at ten” is 十点shí diǎnto fall asleep睡着shuì zháo(completed / change)了le.

  1805.5 One possible response: I / me我wǒ两点liǎng diǎnonly then / not until才cáito fall asleep睡着shuì zháo。

  Check meaning and form:

  • My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
  • I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
  • to fall asleep睡着shuì zháo (shuì zháo) = fall asleep (the goal reached); to fall asleep睡着shuì zháo (shuì zhe) = in a sleeping state – context and reading tell them apart.
  • For finding, to find找到zhǎo dào is more common in the north and standard; to try to find找zhǎo(ongoing -ing)着zhe is spoken.
  • I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

  This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

  Verb + to / arrive到dào (succeed in reaching)

  1806.1 to / arrive到dào

  to find找到zhǎo dào = find (the goal reached).

  1806.2 D. this这zhè本书běn shūwhere哪儿nǎrall / both都dōu买不到mǎi bú dào。

  Potential complement: 买不到mǎi bú dào.

  1806.3 we / us我们wǒ men聊到liáo dàodegree / adjective linker很hěnevening晚wǎn。

  Verb + to / arrive到dào + degree / time.

  1806.4 True.

  True. to listen to听tīng is the action of listening; adding the result complement to / arrive到dào shows the sound was actually perceived: I / me我wǒto listen to听tīng(completed / change)了le，but可是kě shìnot / haven't没méito hear听到tīng dào.

  1806.5 One possible response: I / me我wǒto buy买mǎito / arrive到dàoticket票piào(completed / change)了le！

  Check meaning and form:

  • My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
  • I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
  • to try to find找zhǎo = look for; to find找到zhǎo dào = find. I / me我wǒto try to find找zhǎo(completed / change)了le，but可是kě shìnot / haven't没méito find找到zhǎo dào – "I looked but didn't find it."
  • Negate with not / haven't没méi: 没买méi mǎito / arrive到dào; potential: 买不到mǎi bú dào / to buy买mǎito get得到dé dào.
  • I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

  This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

  Verb + to come来lái + Verb + to go去qù (back and forth)

  1807.1 to go去qù

  Vto come来láiVto go去qù.

  1807.2 A. he / him他tā走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qù。

  In verb + to come来lái + verb + to go去qù the same verb repeats to show movement back and forth: he / him他tā走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qù “He paces up and down.” Mixing two verbs or adding (completed / change)了leto finish完wán breaks the pattern.

  1807.3 I / me我wǒ想来想去xiǎng lái xiǎng qù，or / still还是hái shìto decide (to do something)决定jué dìng不去bù qù(completed / change)了le。

  想来想去xiǎng lái xiǎng qù + decision.

  1807.4 True.

  True. to make a round trip来回lái huí can be a noun meaning “a round trip”: 一个yí gèto make a round trip来回lái huíwant / will / need要yào两个liǎng gèhour小时xiǎo shí. As an adverb it means “back and forth”.

  1807.5 One possible response: it它tāat / in在zàidrawing room (room for…客厅kè tīngli, ancient measure of…里lǐ走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qù。

  Check meaning and form:

  • My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
  • I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
  • Use the same verb in both places: 走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qù, not 走来zǒu láito run跑pǎoto go去qù.
  • It describes a repeated activity, so it rarely takes a result complement: 走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qù, not 走来走去zǒu lái zǒu qùto finish完wán.
  • I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

  This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

All topics · HSK 5 Grammar