<p>When used as a resultative complement, 着 (zháo) expresses that the action has reached it's purpose or has had an outcome. It can also be used as a potential complement, meaning "able to."</p> <h2 id="resultative-complement">Resultative Complement</h2> <h3 id="structure">Structure</h3> <p>All you have to do is put 着 after the verb. Remember that it should be something that you can reach or achieve. It could be a purpose, or it can be producing an outcome or an influence.</p> <div class="jiegou"> <p>Verb + 着</p> </div> <h3 id="examples">Examples</h3> <div class="liju"> <ul> <li>宝宝 刚 睡 <em>着</em>。<span class="trans">The baby just fell asleep.</span></li> <li>你 的 手机 找 <em>着</em> 了 吗？<span class="trans">Did you find your cell phone?</span></li> <li>超市 关门 了 ，你 要 的 东西 我 没 买 <em>着</em> 。<span class="trans">The supermarket is closed. I didn't buy things that you need.</span></li> </ul> </div> <h2 id="potential-complement">Potential Complement</h2> <h3 id="structure-1">Structure</h3> <div class="jiegou"> <p>Verb + 得 / 不 + 着</p> </div> <p>When used with 得 or 不, 着 functions as a <a href="potential_complement" title="wikilink">potential complement</a>, and denotes that one's one's ability is up (or not) to the task in question. This is like saying "(verb) able to reach" or “(verb) not able to reach."</p> <h3 id="examples-1">Examples</h3> <div class="liju"> <ul> <li>晚上 我 <em>睡 不 着</em> 的 时候 就 看书。<span class="trans">Last night, when I wasn't able to get to sleep, I read a book.</span></li> <li>我 的 手机 <em>找 不 着</em> 了。<span class="trans">I wasn't able to find my cell phone.</span></li> <li>这么 晚 了，<em>买 得 着</em> 吗？<span class="trans">It's so late already, can you buy it?</span></li> <li>我 在 国外 <em>吃 不 着</em> 地道 的 中国 菜 。<span class="trans">I can't eat authentic Chinese food.</span></li> </ul> </div> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul> <li><a href="Resultative_Complement_"zhu"" title="wikilink">Resultative Complement "zhu"</a></li> <li><a href="Resultative_Complement_"huai"" title="wikilink">Resultative Complement "huai"</a></li> <li><a href="Resultative_Complement_"kai"" title="wikilink">Resultative Complement "kai"</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="sources-and-further-reading">Sources and further reading</h2> <h3 id="books">Books</h3> <ul> <li><a href="New_Practical_Chinese_Reader_3_(新实用汉语课本3)" title="wikilink">New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)</a> (pp. 135) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/756191251X/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=756191251X">→buy</a></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><a href="Category:_B2_grammar_points" title="wikilink">Category: B2 grammar points</a> <a href="Category:_Result_complement" title="wikilink">Category: Result complement</a></p>