Figurative 出来 as Result Complement
Using 出来 as a figurative result complement meaning to figure out or to produce
Pattern
Verb + 出来
Explanation
Beyond its literal meaning of coming out, 出来 is widely used as a figurative result complement. It indicates that something hidden or unclear has been identified, recognized, or brought into existence through the action of the verb.
Common figurative uses include: 看出来 (to perceive/notice), 听出来 (to detect by listening), 想出来 (to think up/figure out), 做出来 (to produce/create). The complement suggests the result emerges from a process of effort or perception.
Examples
我看出来他今天心情不好。
Wǒ kàn chūlái tā jīntiān xīnqíng bù hǎo.
I could tell he was in a bad mood today.
你能听出来这是谁的声音吗？
Nǐ néng tīng chūlái zhè shì shéi de shēngyīn ma?
Can you tell whose voice this is by listening?
他终于想出来一个好办法。
Tā zhōngyú xiǎng chūlái yī gè hǎo bànfǎ.
He finally came up with a good solution.
Common Mistakes
我看出来了他不高兴。
我看出来他不高兴了。
When 出来 takes a clausal object, 了 typically goes at the end of the entire sentence rather than immediately after 出来.
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