Definition
说不清 is the negative form of a potential complement construction: Verb + 不 + complement (清). It means 'cannot [verb] to the point of [complement]' — here, 'cannot say/explain clearly' or 'cannot be certain'. It is used when you cannot provide a clear explanation, or when the truth of a situation is uncertain. This pattern (V+得/不+Result) is an important grammar structure in Chinese.
r.v.
cannot explain clearlycannot be certaindon't know for sure
Examples
- ，说不清。Shéi lái le wǒ yě bù zhīdào, wǒ yě shuì.I don't know who's coming either — I can't say for sure.
- 说不清。Lián zhuānjiā dōu shuì zhè jiàn shì de yuányīn.Even experts can't clearly explain the reason for this matter.
- ，说不清。Tā wèishénme cízhí, shéi yě shuì.Nobody can say for sure why he quit.
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