{{Grammar Box}} 


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."

==Resultative Complement==

===Structure===

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. 

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Verb + 着
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===Examples===

<div class="liju">

*宝宝 刚 睡 <em>着</em>。<span class="trans">The baby just fell asleep.</span>
*你 的 手机 找 <em>着</em> 了 吗？<span class="trans">Did you find your cell phone?</span>
*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>

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==Potential Complement==

===Structure===

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Verb + 得 / 不 + 着

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When used with 得 or 不, 着 functions as a [[potential complement]], 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."

===Examples===

<div class="liju">

*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>
*我 的 手机 <em>找 不 着</em> 了。<span class="trans">I wasn't able to find my cell phone.</span>
*这么 晚 了，<em>买 得 着</em> 吗？<span class="trans">It's so late already, can you buy it?</span>
*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>

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==See also==

* [[Resultative Complement "zhu"]]
* [[Resultative Complement "huai"]]
* [[Resultative Complement "kai"]]

== Sources and further reading ==

=== Books ===

* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)]] (pp. 135) [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]


[[Category: B2 grammar points]]
[[Category: Result complement]]
{{Basic Grammar|着|B2|Verb + 着|宝宝 刚 睡 <em>着</em>。|grammar point|ASGM5ZAB}}
{{Similar|Resultative Complement "kai"}}
{{Similar|Resultative Complement "huai"}}
{{Similar|Resultative Complement "zhu"}}
{{Similar|Potential complement}}
{{Used for|Expressing duration}}
{{Used for|Expressing result}}
{{Structure|Complements}}