Verb + 得了 / 不了 (can / can't manage)
IntroducedAsk whether someone can manage the quantity
- A meal is too large for one person to finish.
- so这么much多，I我eat吃can't manage不了。 — The speaker cannot manage eating this quantity.
A meal is too large for one person to finish. What does 这么多，我吃不了。 communicate?
The speaker cannot manage eating this quantity. Here 了 is read liǎo, unlike aspectual le. 来得了 can mean being able to attend, so the form is not only about finishing a physical object.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is Verb + (degree marker)得(completed / change)了 / can't manage不了 (can / can't manage). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
so这么much多，I我eat吃can't manage不了。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: I can't finish this much: 这么多，我吃 ____。
Verb + 不了 = can't manage: 吃不了.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, so这么much多，I我eat吃can't manage不了。: The speaker cannot manage eating this quantity.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
How is 了 read in 吃不了?
Here 了 = liǎo (can / manage), not the particle le.
Know the boundary
- Here (completed / change)了 is read liǎo, unlike aspectual le.
- to emerge (from a…来得(completed / change)了 can mean being able to attend, so the form is not only about finishing a physical object.
得了 means you CAN manage it.
得了 indicates being able to manage the action in this frame. 来得了 can mean being able to attend, not finishing a visit.
The 了 in 吃不了 is the neutral-tone completion particle le.
Here 了 is read liǎo, unlike aspectual le. 来得了 can mean being able to attend, so the form is not only about finishing a physical object. The speaker cannot manage eating this quantity.
Use the distinction
- The speaker cannot manage eating this quantity.
- Here (completed / change)了 is read liǎo, unlike aspectual le. to emerge (from a…来得(completed / change)了 can mean being able to attend, so the form is not only about finishing a physical object.
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Complements.
A meal is too large for one person to finish. 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.
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.