B2 · Grammar reference · ASG516F9
Advanced potential complements 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, but for all of them, the preceding character 得 (de) or 不 (bu) is pronounced in the neutral tone.
Structure
Verb + 得了 / 不了
Verb + 得下 / 不下
Verb + 得起 / 不起 + Obj.
Verb + 得动 / 不动
Verb + 得着 / 不着
Keywords 不了 · 不下 · 下 · 不起 · 起 · 不动 · 动 · 不着 · 着
Used for Expressing possibility · Describing actions
Classification — Examples (18) Add all sentences to My sentences He's so old. Will he be able to walk that far? Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. I have things to do tonight. I won't be able to go. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. This piece of clothing is too small. I won't be able to wear it. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. You're the only one who is able to help me with this. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. I'm full. I don't feel like eating more. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. Can your bag hold that many things? Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. My car is too small. Five people will not fit in it. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. I'm sure my suitcase is big enough for these clothes. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. That piece of clothing is worth two months of your salary. Can you afford to buy it? Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. This restaurant is too expensive. We can't afford to eat here. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. This apartment's rent is at least 10,000 RMB. Can you afford to rent it? Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. 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 have a second child not because they don't want to, but because costs are too high. They can't afford to raise another kid. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. I can't keep going. I need to rest a bit. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. Wait for me. I can't keep running. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. The child is all grown up. His mother can't hold him anymore. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. It's so heavy. Can he move it by himself? Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. It's too high. I can't reach it. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. It's too hard. I can't guess. Illustrates Advanced potential complements with 不了. Further resources
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