kěnéng bǔyǔ: 可能补语 - Potential Complement

• Keywords: keneng buyu, 可能补语, potential complement Chinese, Chinese grammar potential complement, how to say can/cannot in Chinese, verb-得/不-complement, Chinese grammar de/bu, resultative complement vs potential complement, Mandarin grammar possibility, 听不懂, 看不见.
• Summary: The Potential Complement (可能补语, kěnéng bǔyǔ) is a fundamental grammar structure in Mandarin Chinese used to express whether an action can or cannot achieve its intended result due to circumstances. By inserting 得 (dé) for “can” or 不 (bù) for “cannot” between a verb and its complement (e.g., a result or direction), you can concisely state if something is possible. For example, `听得懂 (tīng de dǒng)` means “can understand by listening,” while `听不懂 (tīng bù dǒng)` means “cannot understand,” a phrase every beginner learns quickly.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kěnéng bǔyǔ
• Part of Speech: Grammatical Term / Grammatical Structure
• HSK Level: HSK 3-4
• Concise Definition: A grammatical structure indicating the potential success or failure of an action, formed by inserting 得 (dé) or 不 (bù) between a verb and its resultative or directional complement.
• In a Nutshell: The Potential Complement is Chinese grammar's elegant way of saying “can do” or “can't do” based on the situation. It’s not about having the skill (that’s for `会 huì`), but about whether the conditions allow you to succeed. Is the music too loud to hear? You `听不见 (tīng bu jiàn)`. Is the text too small to read? You `看不清楚 (kàn bu qīngchu)`. It bakes the reason for success or failure directly into the verb itself, making it incredibly efficient and common in daily speech.

• 可 (kě): Means “can,” “able,” or “possible.” It suggests permission or possibility.
• 能 (néng): Means “ability” or “capability.” It refers to an inherent power to do something.
• 补 (bǔ): Means “to supplement,” “to add,” or “to patch.” Think of a supplement that adds something missing.
• 语 (yǔ): Means “language” or “speech.”

When combined, `可能 (kěnéng)` means “potential” or “possibility.” `补语 (bǔyǔ)` is the linguistic term for “complement,” a word or phrase that “supplements” the verb to complete its meaning. Therefore, `可能补语` literally and accurately translates to “Potential Complement.”

While a grammatical structure isn't a cultural value like `面子 (miànzi)`, its widespread use reflects a pragmatic aspect of Chinese communication: a strong focus on the outcome and feasibility of an action. The potential complement isn't just about abstract ability; it’s about the reality of a situation. Can the task actually be completed? Will the desired result be achieved? In Western cultures, especially in American English, expressing this often requires more words or a separate clause. We might say, “I can't finish this report *because there isn't enough time*,” or “I can't hear you *because the connection is bad*.” The Chinese potential complement packages the action and the circumstantial limitation into a single, cohesive unit: `我看不完 (wǒ kàn bu wán)` (I can't finish reading it) or `我听不清楚 (wǒ tīng bu qīngchu)` (I can't hear clearly). This linguistic efficiency emphasizes the result (or lack thereof) as the most important piece of information, reflecting a direct and result-oriented mindset.

The potential complement is ubiquitous in everyday life, from ordering food to navigating business meetings.

• Affirmative Form (Verb + 得 + Complement): This confirms that an action is possible under the present circumstances.
  • A: “今天的作业你晚上能做完吗？” (Can you finish today's homework tonight?)
  • B: “做得完，没问题。” (Yes, I can finish it, no problem.)
• Negative Form (Verb + 不 + Complement): This is extremely common for explaining why something can't be done. It's often a polite and indirect way of refusing, as it blames the circumstances rather than a lack of willingness.
  • “这个沙发太大了，门太小，我们搬不进去。” (This sofa is too big, the door is too small, we can't move it in.)
• Question Form (Verb-得-C + Verb-不-C ?): The A-not-A question form is very natural for asking about possibility.
  • “那边太远了，你看得见看不见？” (It's so far over there, can you see or not?)

It is used in all registers, from casual chat with friends (`我吃不下了` - I can't eat anymore) to more formal settings (`这个问题我们解决不了` - We cannot solve this problem).

• Example 1:
  • 餐厅里太吵了，我听不清楚你说什么。
  • Pinyin: Cāntīng lǐ tài chǎo le, wǒ tīng bu qīngchu nǐ shuō shénme.
  • English: It's too noisy in the restaurant, I can't hear clearly what you're saying.
  • Analysis: A classic example. The inability to hear isn't due to a hearing problem, but the external condition (noise). `清楚 (qīngchu)` is the resultative complement.
• Example 2:
  • 这件衣服太小了，我穿不下。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfu tài xiǎo le, wǒ chuān bu xià.
  • English: This piece of clothing is too small, I can't fit into it.
  • Analysis: `下 (xià)` here acts as a complement indicating capacity or space. The negative potential form `穿不下` means “not have the space to wear.”
• Example 3:
  • 老师的语法解释得太快，很多同学都听不懂。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī de yǔfǎ jiěshì de tài kuài, hěn duō tóngxué dōu tīng bu dǒng.
  • English: The teacher explained the grammar too quickly, so many students couldn't understand.
  • Analysis: `听懂 (tīng dǒng)` means to understand by listening. `听不懂` is one of the first potential complements learners encounter, meaning the potential for understanding was not achieved.
• Example 4:
  • 放心吧，天黑以前我们肯定回得来。
  • Pinyin: Fàngxīn ba, tiān hēi yǐqián wǒmen kěndìng huí de lái.
  • English: Don't worry, we can definitely get back before it gets dark.
  • Analysis: Here, `回来 (huílái)` is a directional complement. The affirmative form `回得来` confirms the feasibility of the return journey.
• Example 5:
  • 这么多菜，我们两个人吃得完吃不完？
  • Pinyin: Zhème duō cài, wǒmen liǎng ge rén chī de wán chī bu wán?
  • English: With all these dishes, can the two of us finish it all or not?
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the A-not-A question pattern, which is a very common and natural way to ask about potential. `完 (wán)` means “to finish.”
• Example 6:
  • 对不起，您要的票已经买不到了。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, nín yào de piào yǐjīng mǎi bu dào le.
  • English: Sorry, the tickets you want can no longer be bought (they are sold out).
  • Analysis: `买到 (mǎi dào)` means to “succeed in buying.” `买不到` implies that despite the effort to buy, the goal cannot be achieved, usually because the item is unavailable.
• Example 7:
  • 这个山太高了，我老了，爬不上去了。
  • Pinyin: Zhège shān tài gāo le, wǒ lǎo le, pá bu shàngqù le.
  • English: This mountain is too high; I'm old, I can't climb up it anymore.
  • Analysis: The directional complement `上去 (shàngqù)` indicates upward movement. The reason for failure is the speaker's age and the mountain's height.
• Example 8:
  • 这个问题太复杂，我一个人解决不了。
  • Pinyin: Zhège wèntí tài fùzá, wǒ yí ge rén jiějué bu liǎo.
  • English: This problem is too complicated, I can't solve it by myself.
  • Analysis: `了 (liǎo)` is a special, versatile complement. `解决不了 (jiějué bu liǎo)` is a very common phrase meaning “cannot resolve” or “cannot handle.”
• Example 9:
  • 他的名字我总是记不住。
  • Pinyin: Tā de míngzi wǒ zǒngshì jì bu zhù.
  • English: I can never remember his name.
  • Analysis: The complement `住 (zhù)` indicates firmness or stability. `记住 (jìzhù)` means to firmly remember. `记不住` means the memory “won't stick.”
• Example 10:
  • 你放心，这点儿工作我一个人干得了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ fàngxīn, zhè diǎnr gōngzuò wǒ yí ge rén gàn de liǎo.
  • English: Don't worry, I can handle this little bit of work by myself.
  • Analysis: This is the affirmative version of the special `liǎo` complement. `干得了 (gàn de liǎo)` means “can manage it” or “can get it done.”

• Potential Complement vs. `能 (néng)` / `会 (huì)`: This is the most critical distinction. `能` and `会` describe general ability, skill, or permission. The potential complement describes possibility within a specific context.
  • Example: 我会开车，但是今天下大雪，路上太滑，我开不了车。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ huì kāichē, dànshì jīntiān xià dàxuě, lùshang tài huá, wǒ kāi bu liǎo chē.
  • English: I know how to drive, but it's snowing heavily today and the roads are too slippery, so I cannot drive.
  • Analysis: `会` refers to the learned skill. `开不了` refers to the inability to perform the action *due to the current conditions* (snowy roads).
• Common Mistake 1: Placing `不 (bù)` before the verb.
  • Incorrect: 我不听懂老师的话。
  • Correct: 我听不懂老师的话。 (I don't understand what the teacher is saying.)
  • Why: The negative marker `不` must be sandwiched between the verb and its complement to form the potential complement. `不听` means “to not listen” (a choice), while `听不懂` means “to listen but be unable to understand.”
• Common Mistake 2: Confusing with the Complement of State.
  • Potential Complement: 他跑不快 (pǎo bu kuài) - He can't run fast (e.g., because he is injured). This describes potential.
  • Complement of State: 他跑得不快 (pǎo de bú kuài) - He doesn't run fast / The way he runs is not fast. This describes the manner or quality of his running.
  • Why: The negative marker `不` is in a different place, and the pinyin for `得` is different (`de` instead of `dé`). This is a subtle but crucial difference.

• 结果补语 (jiéguǒ bǔyǔ) - Resultative Complement. This describes the result of a verb (e.g., `完` - finish, `懂` - understand). The potential complement is built by inserting `得/不` into a verb-resultative complement pair.
• 趋向补语 (qūxiàng bǔyǔ) - Directional Complement. This describes the direction of an action (e.g., `上来` - come up, `过去` - go over). It's the other main type of complement used to form potential complements.
• 状态补语 (zhuàngtài bǔyǔ) - Complement of State. Often confused with the potential complement. It uses `V + 得 + Adj` to describe how an action is performed (e.g., `说得很好` - speaks well), not if it can be performed.
• 能 (néng) - Can, to be able to. Refers to inherent ability or permission, distinct from circumstantial possibility.
• 会 (huì) - Can, know how to. Refers to a learned skill.
• 可以 (kěyǐ) - Can, may. Primarily used for asking for or giving permission.
• 不了 (bù liǎo) - A generic and powerful negative potential complement meaning “cannot manage” or “unable to do.”
• 得了 (de liǎo) - The affirmative counterpart to `不了`, meaning “can handle it” or “can be done.”