Advanced potential complements (Redirected from ASG516F9) Level B2 Similar to Potential complement (B1) Used for Expressing possibility, Describing actions Keywords 不了, 不下, 下, 不起, 起, 不动, 动, 不着, 着 You may have a handle on the typical potential complements, but there are a few other fairly common ones that you still need to master. Each is addressed separately here. Contents 1 Verbs with -不了 and -得了 1.1 Structure 1.2 Examples 2 Verbs with -不下 and -得下 2.1 Structure 2.2 Examples 3 Verbs with -不起 and -得起 3.1 Structure 3.2 Examples 4 Verbs with -不动 and -得动 4.1 Structure 4.2 Examples 5 Verbs with -不着 and -得着 5.1 Structure 5.2 Examples 6 See also 7 Sources and further reading 7.1 Books Verbs with -不了 and -得了 Structure This pattern is used to talk about whether or not you are able to do something. It is subtly different from using 不能 because -不了 usually suggests some external factor out of one's control. Verb + 得 / 不 + 了 Examples 他那么老，走得了那么多路吗？ He's so old. Will he be able to walk that far? 今晚我有事，去不了。 I have things to do tonight. I won't be able to go. 这件衣服太小了，我穿不了。 This piece of clothing is too small. I won't be able to wear it. 这件事情只有你帮得了我。 You're the only one who is able to help me with this. 他没什么经验，处理不了这样的问题。 He doesn't have much experience. He is not able deal with this kind of problem. Verbs with -不下 and -得下 Structure This is used to talk about whether or not something will fit or go somewhere. 常见的动词：放、坐、住、装、吃。 Verb + 得 / 不 + 下 Examples 我吃饱了，真的吃不下了。 I'm full. I don't feel like eating more. 你包里放得下那么多东西吗？ Can your bag hold that many things? 我的车太小，坐不下五个人。 My car is too small. Five people will not fit in it. 我的箱子这么大，肯定装得下这些衣服。 I'm sure my suitcase is big enough for these clothes. 你一个人拿得下这么多东西吗？ Can you carry all these thing? Verbs with -不起 and -得起 Structure Verb + 得 / 不 + 起 + Obj. Examples 那件衣服是你两个月的工资，买得起吗？ That piece of clothing is worth two months of your salary. Can you afford to buy it? 这家餐厅太贵了，我们吃不起。 This restaurant is too expensive. We can't afford to eat here. 这些化妆品很贵，我用不起。 This makeup is very expensive. I can't afford it. 这里房子的租金最少也要一万块，你租得起吗？ This apartment's rent is at least 10,000 RMB. Can you afford to rent it? 很多人不生二胎不是因为不想要，是因为成本太高，养不起。 Many people don't get pregnant twice not because they don't want to. It's because the cost is too high, they can't afford to raise more kids. Verbs with -不动 and -得动 Structure The potential complement -不动 is used to express lack of physical ability to do something. This can be used not only with actions like walking, running or climbing, but even actions like eating and chewing. Verb + 得 / 不 + 动 Examples 我走不动了，我们休息一下吧！ I can't keep going. I need to rest a bit. 等等我，我跑不动了！ Wait for me. I can't keep running. 你才一百斤，我背得动你。 You are only 50 kilograms. I can carry you. 孩子真的长大了，妈妈都抱不动了。 The child is all grown up. His mother can't hold him anymore. 这么重，他一个人搬得动吗？ It's so heavy. Can he move it by himself? Verbs with -不着 and -得着 Structure 表示动作有能力做到某事。"着"读作zháo。 Verb + 得 / 不 + 着 Examples 太高了，我够不着。 It's too high. I can't reach it. 这么吵，你睡得着吗？ It's so noisy. Can you sleep? 太难了，我猜不着。 It's too hard. I can't guess. See also Potential complement Sources and further reading Books HSK Standard Course 5上 (pp. 118) →buy