The Result Complement
The result complement (结果补语) indicates the result of an action.
Forming the result complement
Pay attention
A complement is a secondary part of a sentence. It is placed after a predicate expressed by a verb or adjective, and expresses the speaker's view of the chance of success.
The result complement is formed by adding a verb or an adjective describing the result of an action to another verb.
Scheme
verb
complement
Examples
学会用算盘
Learn how to use an abacus
xuéhuì yòng suànpán
你听清楚吗?
Do you hear me clearly?
nǐ tīngqīngchu ma
The object and aspect particles 了 
and 过 are placed after the result complement.
and 过 are placed after the result complement. Pay attention
The particle 着 is not used with the result complement.
is not used with the result complement.Scheme
verb
complement
了/过
object
Examples
我看完了这本书
I finished reading this book
wǒ kànwán le zhè běn shū
我要确定我讲清楚了这一点
I want to make sure I've made myself clear
wǒ yào quèdìng wǒ jiǎngqīngchu le zhè yì diǎn
Negative Form
Adding a complement to a verb indicates that the action has been completed. Therefore, 没 or 没有 is used in negation and placed before the verb.
or 没有 is used in negation and placed before the verb.Scheme
没(有)
verb
complement
Pay attention
The particle 了 is not used in negative sentences.
Examples
他没有看到你
He didn't see you
tā méiyǒu kàndào nǐ
对不起，我没听懂你说的
Sorry, I didn't understand what you said
duìbuqǐ, wǒ méi tīngdǒng nǐ shuō de
Potential complements are often used for things that are unable to happen in the present or future. The negative adverb 不 is placed between the verb and the result complement.
is placed between the verb and the result complement. Pay attention
不 is pronounced in the neutral tone — bu.
Scheme
verb
不
complement
Examples
声音太小了，我听不清楚
The voice is too quiet. I can't hear anything
jīntiān wǒ zuò bu wán
今天我做不完
I can't finish it today
jīntiān wǒ zuò bu wán
In some cases, 不 is placed before the verb:
Pay attention
In this case, 不 is pronounced in the 4th tone before the 1st, 2nd and the 3rd tone — bù.
And in the 2nd tone before the 4th tone — bú.
1) In sentences with an assumption:
Examples
不戴眼镜我什么也不看见
I can't see anything without my glasses
bú dài yǎnjìng wǒ shénme yě bú kànjiàn
2) If it is necessary to emphasize a reluctance to commit an act:
Examples
不做完这件事他是不会放下它的
He won't give up until he gets done with it
bú zuòwán zhè jiàn shì tā shì bú huì fàngxià tā de
3) in the sense of "never", often combined with 从来 .
.Examples
她从来不吃饱
She never eats to the point of being full
tā cónglái bù chībǎo
Question form
1) If it is a completed action, use the question particle 吗 at the end of the sentence.
at the end of the sentence.
Pay attention
The suffix 了 is also used in question sentences.
is also used in question sentences.Scheme
verb
complement
了吗?
Examples
你们把自己的名字写好了吗？
Have you written your name?
nǐmen bǎ zìjǐ de míngzi xiěhǎo le ma
2) Use 没有 at the end of a sentence.
at the end of a sentence.Scheme
verb
complement
了没有?
Examples
你看懂了没有？
Did you understand?
nǐ tīngdǒng le méiyǒu
Pay attention
When it comes to the possibility/impossibility of something being achieved in the present or future, use the question form of the potential complement.