In a sentence
这本小说不长，我今晚看得完。
Zhè běn xiǎoshuō bù cháng, wǒ jīnwǎn kàn de wán.
This novel is not long; I can finish reading it tonight.
完 supplies the result: finishing all of the reading.
我看完这本小说了。
Wǒ kànwán zhè běn xiǎoshuō le.
I have finished reading this novel.
完 states that the reading reached the end of the novel.
Grammar & reading
Show that something is finished with 完
Distinguish doing an activity from reaching the end of it.
Express a possible result with 得 and 不
Say whether a particular result or direction can be achieved under the circumstances.
Words from the same lessons
About these meanings and examples
Laowai’s original website lessons and readings supply the short English meanings, sentence examples and usage notes. Each example links to its full context. For broader definitions, traditional characters and pronunciation audio, use the full dictionary.
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