A state complement with 得 de comes after a verb or adjective to describe how well something is done, or how much: “so tired that…”, “so happy that…”.
一 Structure
Verb / Adj. + 得 + Description
Whatever comes after 得 de describes the result or degree. It can be a short phrase or a whole clause.
二 So … That …
After an adjective or a feeling, 得 de + a result means “so … that …“
他累得走不不動动了
He was so tired that he couldn’t walk anymore.
孩子高興高兴得跳了起來起来
The child was so happy that he jumped up.
他飽饱得快吐了
He was so full that he almost threw up.
那隻只狗瘦得站不不起來起来
That dog is so skinny that it can’t stand up.
爸爸氣气得昏了過去过去
Dad was so angry that he fainted.
第一次看到雪，他激動激动得又哭又笑
When he saw snow for the first time, he was so excited that he laughed and cried at once.
外面外面熱热得我都不想出門出门
It’s so hot outside that I don’t even want to go out.
三 How Well
After an action verb, 得 de + a description says how well it’s done. Negatives go after 得 de.
你中文說说得很自然
You speak Chinese very naturally.
他跑得很快
He runs fast.
我字寫写得不好
My handwriting isn’t good.
你昨天睡得好不好？
Did you sleep well last night?
Verb + objectWith an object, either repeat the verb (你說说中文說说得很自然) or put the object first and leave the first verb out (你中文說说得很自然).
四 State vs. Potential
State complement
他寫写得不好
He doesn’t write well. (How it’s done.)
Potential complement
他寫写不不好
He can’t write it well. (Whether it’s possible.)
The 不 goes after 得 de in a state complement, but replaces 得 in a potential complement.
五 Common Mistakes
❌ 他說说中文得很好
✅ 他中文說说得很好 / 他說说中文說说得很好
得 de has to come right after the verb, not after the object.
❌ 他不跑得快
✅ 他跑得不快
The negative goes after 得 de.
六 Practice
Tap the words below in the right order to build the sentence, then check your answer. If it’s wrong, you can try again as many times as you like, or hit “Show answer” if you get stuck. Careful: some tiles are traps and are not needed!
Question 1 of 10
“He was so tired that he couldn’t walk anymore.”
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他累得走不不動动了
Adj. + 得 de + result.
“The child was so happy that he jumped up.”
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孩子高興高兴得跳了起來起来
🎉
“It’s so hot outside that I don’t even want to go out.”
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外面外面熱热得我都不想出門出门
A whole clause can follow 得 de. ☀️
“You speak Chinese very naturally.”
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你中文說说得很自然
中文你說说得很自然 is also correct.
Object first, then V + 得 de.
“His Chinese isn’t good. (He doesn’t speak it well.)”
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他中文說说得不好
Negative after 得 de.
“That dog is so skinny that it can’t stand up.”
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那隻只狗瘦得站不不起來起来
🐕
“Dad was so angry that he fainted.”
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爸爸氣气得昏了過去过去
😤
“Seeing snow for the first time, he was so excited he laughed and cried.”
