Complement of Potentiality: 可能补语
How to say “can / cannot do something” in Chinese
The potential complement (可能补语) is used to show whether someone can achieve a particular result under certain circumstances.
It is formed by putting 得 (de) or 不 (bù) between the verb and a result or directional complement.
The basic idea:
Verb + 得 + Result → can achieve the result
看得懂can understand after reading
Verb + 不 + Result → cannot achieve the result
看不懂cannot understand after reading
1. Positive form — 得
得 shows that the result can be achieved.
看得懂can read and understand
学得会can learn, can master
做得到can do, can accomplish
这本书我看得懂。
I can read and understand this book.
2. Negative form — 不
不 shows that the result cannot be achieved because of a lack of ability, time, suitable conditions, or another obstacle.
看不懂cannot read and understand
学不会cannot learn, cannot master
做不到cannot do, cannot accomplish
这本书我看不懂。
I can't understand this book.
3. Question Forms
There are two common ways to ask questions with the potential complement.
这本书你看得懂看不懂？
Can you understand this book or not?
This form is very common in everyday conversation.
你学得会游泳吗？
Can you learn to swim?
4. Examples
打不好没关系。
It's okay if you can't play well.
打不好 → cannot achieve the result of playing well
这本书你看得懂看不懂？
Can you understand this book?
看得懂 → can understand
看不懂 → cannot understand
你只有一个星期的时间，学得会游泳吗？
You only have one week. Can you learn to swim?
学得会 → can learn / can master
Remember
得 = the result is possible — 看得懂 can understand
不 = the result is not possible — 看不懂 cannot understand
看不到cannot see
听不懂cannot understand what is heard
吃不下cannot eat / cannot finish eating
做不到cannot accomplish