Verb + Adj. (result complement)

• Pinyin: dǒng / dào / hǎo
• Formation: Subject + (没) + Verb + Adj./Verb (result) + (Object)
• Hanzi breakdown: 懂 = 忄(heart) + 董 (director); 到 = 至 (arrive) + 刂(knife)

Meaning

A result complement is an adjective or verb placed directly after the main verb to describe the result or outcome of the action. Together they form a tight verb-complement compound.

Result complements are one of the most important structures in Chinese grammar. They describe what state or result an action leads to. For example, 听懂 means 'listen and understand' (the result of listening is understanding), and 看清 means 'see clearly' (the result of looking is clarity). Common result complements include 懂 (understand), 到 (reach/achieve), 好 (well/properly), 错 (wrongly), 清 (clearly), and 干净 (clean). To negate a result complement, use 没 before the verb (not 不). To express potential — whether the result can or cannot be achieved — insert 得 or 不 between the verb and complement: 听得懂 (can understand) vs. 听不懂 (cannot understand).

Examples

1. 我没听懂他说的话。 I didn't understand what he said.
2. 她把房间打扫干净了。 She cleaned the room spotless.
3. 你看清楚那个字了吗？ Did you see that character clearly?

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我记住了他的电话号码。
• 这首歌我学会了。
• 请你说慢一点，我没听清。
• 他写错了我的名字。

Don't Say

• 我不听懂他的话。(Use 没 instead of 不 to negate a result complement describing a past action — 不 is only used in the potential form 听不懂) → 我没听懂他的话。
• 我看了清楚那个字。(Do not insert 了 between the verb and its result complement — 了 goes after the complete verb-complement compound) → 我看清楚了那个字。
• 她打扫了干净房间。(The result complement must attach directly to the verb — place 了 after the entire compound 打扫干净了) → 她打扫干净了房间。

Origin & History

Result complements emerged during the late classical Chinese period as a way to express the outcome of actions concisely. This verb-complement structure became fully productive in modern Mandarin, replacing many of the serial verb constructions found in older Chinese.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal