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.

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.

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。

Examples

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.
你家住 得下 这么多人吗？Is there enough room in your house to accommodate that many people?
我吃饱了，真的吃 不下 了。I'm full. I don't feel like eating more.

Verbs with -不起 and -得起

Structure

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.

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 -不了 and -得了

Structure

Examples

Verbs with -不下 and -得下

Structure

Examples

Verbs with -不起 and -得起

Structure

Examples

Verbs with -不动 and -得动

Structure

Examples

See also