How to use 得了；得下；得起；得动；得着
Verb + 得 / 不 + 了 / 下 / 起 / 动 / 着
Potential complements describe whether a particular result is achievable. The final component specifies the limitation involved: 了 often concerns feasibility, 下 available capacity, 起 affordability or ability to bear a cost, 动 sufficient strength, and 着 reaching or obtaining the intended target. Their meanings depend on the verb, so learn the combinations as expressions rather than interchangeable endings.
Insert 得 for the affirmative potential or 不 for the negative potential between the verb and its complement. Questions can ask about someone's ability under the circumstances. These patterns concern possibility, not simply whether an event happened. The complement 了 is pronounced liǎo here, and 着 is zháo rather than the aspect particle zhe.
Examples with pinyin and English
他那么老， 走得了那么多路吗？
He's so old. Will he be able to walk that far?
今晚我有事， 去不了。
I have things to do tonight. I won't be able to go.
这件衣服太小了，我穿不了。
This piece of clothing is too small. I won't be able to wear it.
这件事情只有你帮得了我。
You're the only one who is able to help me with this.
你包里放得下那么多东西吗？
Can your bag hold that many things?
那件衣服是你两个月的工资， 买得起吗？
That piece of clothing is worth two months of your salary. Can you afford to buy it?
这么重，他一个人搬得动吗？
It's so heavy. Can he move it by himself?
这么吵，你睡得着吗？
It's so noisy. Can you sleep?
What to remember
- Match the complement to the practical limitation.
- Use 得 and 不 to contrast possible with impossible.
- Read potential 了 as liǎo and 着 as zháo.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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