Result complements
Mandarin often adds a second element after the verb to show the result of an action, such as seeing clearly, writing correctly, or finishing something.
Examples
I understood this sentence.
She wrote one character incorrectly.
We finished the exercises.
Pattern
verb + result complement
How it works
Mandarin often adds a second element after the verb to show the result of an action, such as seeing clearly, writing correctly, or finishing something. This pattern typically appears as verb + result complement and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.
What to notice
- The complement shows what came out of the action, not just that the action happened.
- Common complements include 完, 到, 懂, 错, 好, and 清楚.
Why it matters
Describe how an action finishes, succeeds, or develops.
Use in context
Result complements are crucial because Mandarin often encodes the outcome inside the verb phrase rather than in a separate sentence.