Potential Complement V得/不了
V得了 means 'can do' and V不了 means 'cannot do', expressing possibility or ability.
Pattern
Verb + 得/不 + Resultative/Directional Complement
Explanation
The potential complement inserts 得 or 不 between a verb and its result or directional complement. V得了 means the action can achieve the result; V不了 means it cannot.
Common patterns include 看得见/看不见 (can/cannot see), 听得懂/听不懂 (can/cannot understand by listening), 吃得完/吃不完 (can/cannot finish eating).
Examples
这么多菜，我们吃不完。
Zhème duō cài, wǒmen chī bu wán.
There are so many dishes, we can't finish them.
你听得懂他说的话吗？
Nǐ tīng de dǒng tā shuō de huà ma?
Can you understand what he said?
太远了，我看不见。
Tài yuǎn le, wǒ kàn bu jiàn.
It's too far, I can't see it.
Common Mistakes
我不能吃完这么多菜。
我吃不完这么多菜。
Use the potential complement 吃不完 instead of 不能吃完 for inherent inability.
Related Grammar
Practice this grammar with AI
Use this grammar pattern in a real conversation with our AI tutor.
Start Practicing