Structural Particle: 得 (Complement Marker)
结构助词：得
Use 得 to link a verb or adjective to a complement describing manner, degree, or result
Place 得 after a verb or adjective to introduce a complement that describes how the action is done, to what degree, or what result it produces.
When a verb takes an object AND a 得-complement, the verb must appear twice: 她篮球打得很好 or 她打篮球打得很好. You cannot say 她打得篮球很好. The object either goes before the verb or requires the verb to be repeated.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Structural Particle: 得 (Complement Marker) (结构助词：得)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 结构助词：得 pattern
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Understanding 结构助词：得
Chinese has three "de" particles and they are all written differently: 的 (modifier), 地 (adverbial), and 得 (complement). This lesson focuses on 得, the complement marker. Its job is to connect a verb to information about HOW the action was performed or to WHAT DEGREE. Think of 得 as an equals sign between the action and its evaluation. 他跑得很快 means "He runs — and the evaluation is — very fast." 她唱得非常好听 means "She sings — and the evaluation is — extremely pleasant to hear." The complement after 得 can be simple (很好, 很快) or complex (让大家都笑了). In negative form, just negate the complement: 他写得不好 (He does not write well). This pattern is essential for expressing opinions about how someone does something.
Key Points
- 得 (de) links a verb/adjective to its complement — describing manner, degree, or result.
- Pattern: Verb + 得 + Complement. Example: 走得快 (walk fast), 说得好 (speak well).
- If the verb has an object, the object goes BEFORE the verb or the verb is repeated: 他中文说得很好 or 他说中文说得很好.
- Negative form: Verb + 得 + 不 + Complement. Example: 写得不好 (does not write well).
- Do not confuse 得 (complement marker) with 的 (modifier marker) or 地 (adverbial marker).
- The complement after 得 can be an adjective, a clause, or even a full sentence.
- Questions: Verb + 得 + Complement + 吗？ or Verb + 得 + 怎么样？
- 得 is always unstressed and pronounced "de" (neutral tone) in this usage.
Chinese people love using 得-complements to give evaluations. Saying 你中文说得真好 (You speak Chinese really well) is one of the most common compliments you will hear. Knowing how to use 得 naturally makes your praise sound genuine rather than textbook-like.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
他走得有点儿快。
He walks a bit fast.
Verb + 得 + degree complement
她篮球打得很不错。
She plays basketball quite well.
Object fronted before verb
你中文说得真好！
You speak Chinese really well!
他跑得非常快。
He runs extremely fast.
她唱得好听极了。
She sings incredibly beautifully.
弟弟写得不太好。
My little brother does not write very well.
昨天你睡得怎么样？
How did you sleep last night?
Asking about manner with 怎么样
老师讲得很清楚。
The teacher explained very clearly.
Common Mistakes
The object cannot be placed between 得 and the complement. Move the object before the verb, or repeat the verb: 她打篮球打得很好.
Use 得 (complement marker) after verbs, not 的 (modifier marker). They sound the same but have different functions and different characters.
The object 中文 must go before the verb when using a 得-complement, not between 得 and the complement.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Remember the three "de" particles: 的 modifies nouns (红的花), 地 modifies verbs (高兴地说), 得 evaluates actions (说得好).
When you want to compliment someone, use 得: 你做得真好！你说得太棒了！
To ask "how well does someone do X?" use: X + 得 + 怎么样？
Practice by evaluating your own daily activities: 我今天吃得太多了, 我昨天睡得很晚.
Homework
Evaluate six activities from your day using 得-complements. Include at least two negative ones: 我今天起得很早。我昨天睡得不太好。