看懂 / 写错 / 洗干净【kàndǒng / xiěcuò / xǐ gānjìng】

result complement, resultative complement, result, outcome, manage to, complement, jieguo buyu

A second word straight after the verb says what the action achieved: is "look", is "read and understand". 没 negates the result, and 了 and the object follow the pair.

HSK 2

AI-generated

Structure

[verb] + [result] + [object] + 了

没 + [verb] + [result] + [object]

Description

A result complement is a second word straight after the verb that says how the action came out. The verb names the action, the complement names what it achieved: 洗 is "wash", 洗干净 is "wash clean".

。

I understood this book.

。

The clothes have been washed clean.

。

I wrote a character wrong.

Trying and succeeding

English often packs the attempt and the result into one verb. Chinese splits them: the verb alone says you did it, the complement says it worked.

，。

I looked, but I didn't find it.

，。

I listened, but I didn't understand.

没 for a result that didn't come

A result that didn't happen takes 没, and 了 drops out.

。

I didn't understand what was said.

× 我不听懂 → 我没听懂
× 我没听懂了 → 我没听懂

不 between the verb and the complement, as in 听不懂, is a different pattern that means "can't" – the potential complement.

Where the object and 了 go

The verb and its complement stay together. 了 and the object come after the pair.

。

I've finished my homework.

。

He managed to get a ticket.

× 我做作业完了 → 我做完作业了
× 我做了完作业 → 我做完了作业

The commonest complements – 完, 到, 见, 好 – each have their own point.

Examples

。

I understood this book.

。

The clothes have been washed clean.

。

I wrote a character wrong.

，。

I looked, but I didn't find it.

，。

I didn't understand – please say it again.

。

I've finished my homework.

。

He managed to get a ticket.

？

Did you understand?

。

The table has been wiped clean.

。

I've learned to swim.

，。

Sorry, I dialled the wrong number.

。

You're right.

。

I'm full.

References

Result complementsresources.allsetlearning.com

…的时候

看看 / 看一看 / 看了看