State Complement: Verb + 得 + Adjective
状态补语1：动词+得+形容词性词语
Describe how an action is performed using the verb + 得 + adjective pattern
Place 得 (de) after the verb, followed by an adjective or adjective phrase that describes the manner or result of the action. This is the state complement structure.
The 得 here is pronounced "de" (neutral tone) and is different from 的 (possessive) and 地 (adverbial). It always comes directly after the verb. If the verb takes an object, the verb must be repeated: 她说中文说得很好 or the object comes first: 中文她说得很好.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: State Complement: Verb + 得 + Adjective (状态补语1：动词+得+形容词性词语)
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Understanding 状态补语1：动词+得+形容词性词语
The state complement is one of the most important and frequently used structures in Chinese. It answers the question "how well?" or "to what degree?" When you say 她跑得很快, you are not just saying she runs — you are saying she runs fast. The 得 acts as a bridge between the action and its description. Think of it as the Chinese way of adding adverbs, but placed after the verb rather than before it as in English. This structure is essential for describing abilities, evaluating performance, and expressing feelings about how something was done. Once you master it, you can describe anything: 他唱得很好听 (He sings beautifully), 我们玩儿得很高兴 (We had a great time playing), 她写得很漂亮 (She writes beautifully).
Key Points
- 得 (de, neutral tone) links the verb to an adjective description of how the action is done.
- Basic pattern: 动词 + 得 + 很/非常/真 + 形容词 — 跑得很快, 写得非常好.
- If the verb has an object, repeat the verb: 她说中文说得很流利 or front the object: 中文她说得很流利.
- Negative form: 动词 + 得 + 不 + 形容词 — 他跑得不快 (He does not run fast).
- Question form: 动词 + 得 + 形容词 + 不 + 形容词 — 他跑得快不快？or 动词 + 得 + 怎么样？
- Do not confuse the complement 得 with the structural particle 的 or the adverbial particle 地.
- 很 is almost always used before the adjective — without it the sentence sounds comparative.
- This pattern describes the general state of an action, not a one-time event.
Chinese people often use state complements to give compliments. Saying 你中文说得真好！(Your Chinese is really good!) is one of the most common compliments you will hear as a learner. The polite response is 哪里哪里 or 还差得远呢.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
她跑得很快。
She runs very fast.
我们玩儿得很高兴。
We had a great time (playing).
他中文说得非常流利。
He speaks Chinese very fluently.
弟弟写字写得很漂亮。
My younger brother writes characters very beautifully.
Verb repeated because of the object 字
昨天我睡得很晚。
I slept very late yesterday.
老师讲得很清楚。
The teacher explained very clearly.
这个菜做得真好吃。
This dish is cooked really deliciously.
他唱歌唱得不太好。
He does not sing very well.
Negative state complement
Common Mistakes
You must use 得 between the verb and the adjective to form a state complement. Without 得, the sentence is grammatically incomplete.
The object cannot come between 得 and the adjective. Either front the object or repeat the verb.
Use 得 (complement particle), not 的 (possessive particle). They sound the same but are written differently.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Remember the "verb + 得 + adjective" formula — 得 is the bridge between what you do and how well you do it.
When there is an object, the safest strategy is to front the object: 中文他说得很好.
Practice with daily activities: 吃得多, 睡得晚, 走得快, 学得认真.
The most common compliment pattern: 你……得真好！Practice giving compliments to build fluency.
Homework
Write eight sentences describing how you or your family members do different activities. Use the state complement pattern for each: eating, sleeping, speaking, writing, running, cooking, studying, and singing.