University of Cambridge Language Centre Chinese Intermediate

Potential indicators

and may occur between the action verb and the resultative endings to indicate that it is possible or not possible to reach the conclusion or result.

To indicate that it is possible: action verb + + resultative ending

To indicate that it is not possible: action verb + + resultative ending


To compare:

I can understand (by watching)

I cannot understand (by watching)


I can buy (to get hold of)

I cannot buy (cannot get hold of)


e.g.

中国电影。 I can understand (by watching) Chinese movies.

英国螃蟹吗? Can you buy (to get hold of) crabs in England?

出来蟹肉非常新鲜。 You can tell (by eating them) the crabs are very fresh.


他说的话我 I can't understand (by listening) what he says.

我的钱包。 I can't find my wallet.

起来他的名字。 I can't remember his name.

Please note that the alternative to express 'can' and 不会 'cannot' focus on the ability to do something, i.e. whether a person is able to perform something or not, while the above 得/不 structure is about result, whether the result of the action is achieved or not.

Compare:

I can swim… 我会游泳……

…but I cannot swim fast. ……但是我游不快。

The correct particle (part 1)

Use the translation below to drag and drop the correct expressions, and complete the following paragraph. For help, click on the audio button to listen to the paragraph. Check your answers.

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The correct particle (part 2)

Use the translation below to drag and drop the correct expressions, and complete the following paragraph. For help, click on the audio button to listen to the paragraph. Check your answers.

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The correct particle (part 3)

Use the translation below to drag and drop the correct expressions, and complete the following paragraph. For help, click on the audio button to listen to the paragraph. Check your answers.

You require the latest flash player to view this activity

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