zhuàngtài bǔyǔ: 状态补语 - State Complement

• Keywords: zhuangtai buyu, zhuàngtài bǔyǔ, 状态补语, Chinese state complement, complement of state, how to describe actions in Chinese, Chinese grammar, V + 得 + Adj, learning Chinese grammar, 得 complement, the three de particles.
• Summary: The 状态补语 (zhuàngtài bǔyǔ), or State Complement, is a fundamental Chinese grammar structure essential for describing how an action is performed or the state achieved by that action. Using the particle “得” (de), it connects a verb to an adjective or phrase, allowing you to say things like “he runs fast” (他跑得很快) or “she speaks Chinese well” (她说中文说得很好). Mastering the complement of state is a key step towards speaking more descriptive and natural-sounding Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhuàngtài bǔyǔ
• Part of Speech: Grammatical Term / Noun Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 2/3 (Concept)
• Concise Definition: A grammatical component that follows a verb to describe its manner, degree, or the resulting state.
• In a Nutshell: In English, we use adverbs like “quickly” or “well” to describe actions (e.g., “She sings well”). In Chinese, you use the State Complement to achieve this. Think of it as an “evaluation” or “comment” that you attach to a verb. The core pattern is Verb + 得 + Description. It answers the question “How well?” or “To what extent?” the action was done.

• 状 (zhuàng): State, condition, shape, appearance.
• 态 (tài): Form, state, appearance.
• 补 (bǔ): To supplement, to add, to make up for.
• 语 (yǔ): Word, language, phrase.

Together, 状态 (zhuàngtài) means “state” or “condition.” 补语 (bǔyǔ) is the linguistic term for “complement,” literally a “supplemental word.” Therefore, 状态补语 (zhuàngtài bǔyǔ) literally translates to “State Complement”—a phrase that supplements a verb by describing its state.

While a purely grammatical term, the State Complement reflects a common pattern in Chinese linguistic thinking: action first, description second. In English, it's common to place the description (adverb) before the verb: “He quietly left.” The focus is on the manner of leaving before the action itself. In Chinese, the structure is `他安安静静地走了 (tā ān ān jìng jìng de zǒu le)`. However, when evaluating the result or state of an action, Chinese syntax is rigid: the action must be stated before it can be commented on. You can't say `他得跑很快 (tā de pǎo hěn kuài)`. You must first state the action, `跑 (pǎo)`, and then add a comment about it: `跑得很快 (pǎo de hěn kuài)`. This can be compared to a subtle cultural difference in communication. Instead of pre-emptively qualifying an action, the Chinese structure presents the action as a fact and then provides a subsequent evaluation. It's a linear, “this happened, and here's what I think about how it happened” thought process, which is very different from the more flexible adverbial placement in English.

The State Complement is used constantly in daily conversation to describe, praise, or complain about actions. Here are the core structures you must know.

This is the simplest form, used when there is no object. `他跑得很快。 (Tā pǎo de hěn kuài.)` - He runs fast. `你来得太晚了！ (Nǐ lái de tài wǎn le!)` - You came too late!

This is the most common point of confusion for learners. When a verb has an object, you must repeat the verb after the object, before adding `得`. Structure: Verb + Object + Verb + 得 + Adjective/Phrase `他说中文说得很流利。 (Tā shuō Zhōngwén shuō de hěn liúlì.)` - He speaks Chinese fluently. `她做饭做得很好吃。 (Tā zuò fàn zuò de hěn hǎochī.)` - She cooks delicious food. (Literally: She cooks food, and the cooking is delicious.)

To negate the complement, place `不 (bù)` directly before the adjective. `他跑得不快。 (Tā pǎo de bù kuài.)` - He doesn't run fast. `这个字你写得不对。 (Zhège zì nǐ xiě de bù duì.)` - You wrote this character incorrectly.

You can form a yes/no question by using the “A-not-A” structure with the adjective in the complement. `他跑得快不快？ (Tā pǎo de kuài bu kuài?)` - Does he run fast? `老师讲得清楚不清楚？ (Lǎoshī jiǎng de qīngchǔ bu qīngchǔ?)` - Does the teacher explain clearly?

• Example 1:
  • 昨天晚上我睡得很好。
  • Pinyin: Zuótiān wǎnshàng wǒ shuì de hěn hǎo.
  • English: I slept very well last night.
  • Analysis: A classic example of the basic structure (Verb + 得 + Adjective). It describes the quality of the action “to sleep.”
• Example 2:
  • 你今天穿得很漂亮！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ jīntiān chuān de hěn piàoliang!
  • English: You are dressed beautifully today!
  • Analysis: Used as a compliment. It's not describing the clothes, but the state of “wearing” them.
• Example 3:
  • 他打篮球打得特别好。
  • Pinyin: Tā dǎ lánqiú dǎ de tèbié hǎo.
  • English: He plays basketball particularly well.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the crucial “Verb + Object + Verb + 得…” structure. `打 (dǎ)` is repeated.
• Example 4:
  • 我的中文说得不地道。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de Zhōngwén shuō de bù dìdào.
  • English: My spoken Chinese is not authentic/native-like.
  • Analysis: A common self-assessment phrase for learners, using the negative structure.
• Example 5:
  • 这个问题你解释得清楚不清楚？
  • Pinyin: Zhège wèntí nǐ jiěshì de qīngchǔ bu qīngchǔ?
  • English: Did you explain this problem clearly?
  • Analysis: Shows the A-not-A question form applied to the state complement.
• Example 6:
  • 孩子们玩得满头大汗。
  • Pinyin: Háizimen wán de mǎn tóu dà hàn.
  • English: The children played until their heads were covered in sweat.
  • Analysis: The complement doesn't have to be a simple adjective. Here, it's a four-character phrase (chengyu) describing the resulting state.
• Example 7:
  • 他高兴得跳了起来。
  • Pinyin: Tā gāoxìng de tiào le qǐlái.
  • English: He was so happy that he jumped up.
  • Analysis: Shows that the main “action” can also be an adjective (like 高兴, happy). The complement describes the result of this state of happiness.
• Example 8:
  • 我们聊得很投机。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen liáo de hěn tóujī.
  • English: We chatted and got along very well.
  • Analysis: `投机 (tóujī)` means “to hit it off.” This is a common phrase to describe a good conversation.
• Example 9:
  • 他看书看得忘了时间。
  • Pinyin: Tā kàn shū kàn de wàng le shíjiān.
  • English: He was so absorbed in his book that he forgot the time.
  • Analysis: Another example of verb repetition, where the complement is a whole clause (`忘了时间`).
• Example 10:
  • 这家餐厅的菜做得太咸了，我吃得不舒服。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài zuò de tài xián le, wǒ chī de bù shūfu.
  • English: This restaurant's food is cooked too salty, I feel uncomfortable from eating it.
  • Analysis: A practical example of a complaint. It shows how the state complement describes the result of an action on the subject.

• Mistake 1: Confusing `的`, `地`, and `得`

This is the most common error for learners. They all sound like “de.”

• `的 (de)`: Modifies nouns. `我的书 (wǒ de shū)` - My book. `漂亮的书 (piàoliang de shū)` - a beautiful book.
• `地 (de)`: Modifies verbs (adverbial marker). It comes before the verb. `慢慢地走 (màn man de zǒu)` - to walk slowly.
• `得 (de)`: State Complement marker. It comes after the verb. `跑得快 (pǎo de kuài)` - to run fast.
• Mistake 2: Forgetting to Repeat the Verb

When a verb takes an object, you cannot simply add `得` after the object.

• Incorrect: `*我写汉字得很好。`
• Correct: `我写汉字写得很好。 (Wǒ xiě Hànzì xiě de hěn hǎo.)`
• Mistake 3: Misplacing the Negative Word `不`

The negation `不 (bù)` always goes inside the complement, right before the adjective.

• Incorrect: `*我不说得好。`
• Correct: `我说得不好。 (Wǒ shuō de bù hǎo.)`
• Nuance: The Role of `很 (hěn)`

In many state complements, `很` is used even when the meaning isn't “very.” For example, `说得很好 (shuō de hěn hǎo)` is more common and natural than `说得好 (shuō de hǎo)`. With single-syllable adjectives, `很` often serves to balance the sentence rhythmically rather than to add emphasis. Think of it as a default filler word in this context.

Understanding the State Complement opens the door to other types of complements in Chinese.

• 结果补语 (jiéguǒ bǔyǔ) - Result Complement. Describes the result of an action, not the manner. It attaches directly to the verb. E.g., `看见 (kànjiàn)` - to see (and succeed), `听懂 (tīngdǒng)` - to hear (and understand).
• 可能补语 (kěnéng bǔyǔ) - Potential Complement. The potential form of a Result Complement, using `得` or `不` to show ability. E.g., `看得见 (kàn de jiàn)` - can see, `听不懂 (tīng bu dǒng)` - cannot understand. This is a major point of confusion with the State Complement.
• 趋向补语 (qūxiàng bǔyǔ) - Directional Complement. Shows the direction of an action. E.g., `走进来 (zǒu jìnlái)` - to walk in, `跑上去 (pǎo shàngqù)` - to run up.
• 程度补语 (chéngdù bǔyǔ) - Degree Complement. Expresses an extreme degree, often using particles like `极了 (jí le)` or `死了 (sǐ le)`. E.g., `好极了 (hǎo jí le)` - extremely good, `饿死了 (è sǐ le)` - starving to death.
• 地 (de) - The structural particle for adverbs. It is the State Complement's counterpart, used for descriptions that come before the verb, e.g., `他慢慢地说 (tā màn man de shuō)`.
• 的 (de) - The most common particle, used for possession and noun modification, completing the “three de's” trio.