ComplementsHSK 3
Potential complement 不懂 for not understanding
When attached to a verb like 看 (to read) or 听 (to listen), 不懂 forms a potential complement meaning 'can't understand' through that action. It expresses inability to comprehend, not a simple negation. A common mistake is using 不懂 alone when the means of understanding should be specified, so always pair it with the appropriate sensory verb.
Structure
Subj. + Verb + 不懂 (+ Obj.)
expresses inability to understand; 不懂 can be swapped with 不明白 for a similar meaning
Examples
- 我看不懂这本书。Wǒ kàn bu dǒng zhè běn shū.I don't understand the book.
- 孩子们看不懂你写的汉字。Háizi men kàn bu dǒng nǐ xiě de Hànzì.Kids don't understand the characters that you wrote.
- 你看不懂我的邮件吗？Nǐ kàn bu dǒng wǒ de yóujiàn ma?Do you not understand my emails?
- 我听不懂上海话。Wǒ tīng bu dǒng Shànghǎi-huà.I don't understand Shanghai dialect.
- 很多人读不懂这本书。Hěn duō rén dú bu dǒng zhè běn shū.Many people don't understand this book.