ComplementsHSK 4

Result complements

A result complement is an adjective or verb placed after the main verb to indicate the outcome of the action. It's often used with 了 to show the result is achieved. To negate, use 没 (not 不) and drop 了.

Structure

Subj. + Verb + Adj. + 了 (+ Obj.)

the complement is usually an adjective

Subj. + 没 + Verb + Adj. (+ Obj.)

no 了 in the negative form

Examples

你吃好了吗？
Nǐ chī hǎo le ma?
Are you done eating?
对不起，我记错了时间。
Duìbuqǐ, wǒ jì cuò le shíjiān.
Sorry, I misremembered the time.
我没吃饱。
Wǒ méi chī bǎo .
I didn't get full.
这个字写错了。
Zhège zì xiě cuò le.
You wrote this character wrong.
房间打扫干净了吗？
Fángjiān dǎsǎo gānjìng le ma?
Is your room all cleaned up?