Chinese verbs are not just about actions; they also show how verbs can express results, completion, and capability. In this article, we’ll explore three common complements: 懂 dǒng, 完 wán, and 了 liǎo, and see how these small words can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
懂 dǒng – to understand / comprehend
It shows that someone understands the result of an action.
其實你沒聽懂我在說什麼，對吧？其实你没听懂我在说什么，对吧？
You don’t understand what I’m saying, do you?
我聽懂了你的意思我听懂了你的意思
I understood what you meant.
我搞不懂你為什麼要這麼做我搞不懂你为什么要这么做
I just don’t get why you want to do this.
我終於看懂了HSK6的文章我终于看懂了HSK6的文章
I finally understood the HSK6 article.
你看得懂這個句子嗎？你看得懂这个句子吗？
Can you understand this sentence?
完 wán – to finish / complete
It shows that an action is completed or fully done.
我還沒吃完飯我还没吃完饭
I haven’t finished my meal yet.
作業太多了，我寫不完作业太多了，我写不完
There’s too much homework; I can’t finish writing it.
你沒吃完飯，不可以看電視你没吃完饭，不可以看电视
You can’t watch TV until you finish your meal.
這本書我全部學完了这本书我全部学完了
I’ve finished studying this whole book.
你一個人做得完這些工作嗎？你一个人做得完这些工作吗？
Can you finish all this work by yourself?
了 liǎo – able to / capable of
It shows that a result can be achieved.
了 liǎo is an irregular complement that can only be used in potential constructions.
Actual Potential 了 liǎo 吃了了 沒吃了 吃的了 吃不了 ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅
這麵太辣了，我吃不了这面太辣了，我吃不了
This noodle dish is too spicy, I can’t eat it.
我忘不了Tiffany老師，她教得太好了我忘不了Tiffany老师，她教得太好了
I can never forget my teacher Tiffany; she taught so well.
路上那麼堵，你想我們晚餐前到得了嗎？路上那么堵，你想我们晚餐前到得了吗？
The traffic is so bad. Do you think we can make it before dinner?
別擔心，才1瓶紅酒我一定喝得了别担心，才1瓶红酒我一定喝得了
Don’t worry, it’s just one bottle of wine. I can handle it.
老師教那麼多單詞，你記得了嗎？老师教那么多单词，你记得了吗？
The teacher taught so many words. Did you manage to remember them?
