Chinese Grammar Core Course — Unit 13
Unit 13
Result and directional complements
A complement tells whether an action succeeded, finished, found something, or moved in a direction. It is part of the verb phrase, so keep it next to the verb.
These structures change what the listener notices first: a handled object, an affected subject, a route, a recipient, or a purpose. Keep the result visible.
Do not translate word by word. First identify the main verb, then attach time, place, negation, or aspect in the order shown by the pattern.
Pattern to hear
我看懂了。请拿出来。
Meaning in context: I understood it. Please take it out.
How to use it
A complement tells whether an action succeeded, finished, found something, or moved in a direction. It is part of the verb phrase, so keep it next to the verb.
我写完了。请拿出来。
These structures change what the listener notices first: a handled object, an affected subject, a route, a recipient, or a purpose. Keep the result visible.
Do not translate word by word. First identify the main verb, then attach time, place, negation, or aspect in the order shown by the pattern.
Self-check
- How to use it
- Look for the participant whose result matters most: the handled object, affected subject, route, recipient, or purpose.
- Build it yourself
- Give a practical instruction, report an unwanted result, and describe a trip with a purpose.
- Self-check
- Does every 把 sentence state what happened to the object?
Contrast and decision
For English speakers, the main adjustment is not basic SVO order but keeping time, place, aspect markers, and complements in their Chinese positions.
What to notice: Result and directional complements
More examples to read aloud
- 我写完作业了。
- 他找到了钥匙。
- 请进来。
Read the pattern, cover the translation, and rebuild the sentence from its meaning. Return to the detailed articles for exceptions and nuance.
Build it yourself
Turn 看, 写, 找, and 拿 into completed or directional actions.
给一个动作加结果补语，再给一个动作加方向补语。
Check the answer only after you have said or written your version.
Self-check
Model and reason
A complement tells whether an action succeeded, finished, found something, or moved in a direction. It is part of the verb phrase, so keep it next to the verb.
他找到了钥匙。请走进去。
Read the pattern, cover the translation, and rebuild the sentence from its meaning. Return to the detailed articles for exceptions and nuance.