\tThere are three DE particles used in Mandarin Chinese: the possessive de (\u7684), the adverbial , and the potential complement de (\u5f97). If you want more general information about how to use these three, check this overview: The three DE particles in Mandarin. In this article, we're going to look at the potential complement, written \u5f97.<\/p>\n
\tThe potential complement de is used to show the outcome of an action or event (what was the result), or to describe it in more detail (how was the action performed).<\/p>\n
\tThe action can be habitual (i.e. he walks slowly) or a particular event (i.e. he sang well last night).<\/p>\n
\tThe potential complement de is placed after a verb. This structure is followed by a phrase which shows the result of the preceding action:<\/p>\n
\tVERB + de \u5f97 + RESULT or MANNER
\tHere is an example of how this can express a result:<\/p>\n
\t\u6211\u542c\u5f97\u61c2\uff01
\t\u6211\u807d\u5f97\u61c2\uff01
\tw\u01d2 t\u012bng de d\u01d2ng
\tI understand (literally: I listen and understand as a result of that)<\/p>\n
\tAnd here's an example when \u5f97 is used to describe how the verb was performed:<\/p>\n
\tT\u0101 shu\u014d de h\u011bn h\u01ceo.
\t\u4ed6\u8bf4\u7684\u5f88\u597d\u3002
\t\u4ed6\u8aaa\u5f97\u5f88\u597d\u3002
\tHe speaks well.
\tIn the example above, the de \u5f97 particle comes after the verb shu\u014d (speak), and the following phrase (h\u011bn h\u01ceo) describes how the speaking is done.<\/p>\n
\tMORE EXAMPLES
\t <\/p>\n
\tPinyin English Traditional Characters Simplified Characters
\tN\u01d0 t\u012bng dé d\u01d2ng ma ? Do you understand (what was said)? \u4f60\u807d\u5f97\u61c2\u55ce? \u4f60\u542c\u5f97\u61c2\u5417?
\tBàozh\u01d0 w\u01d2 kàn dé wán. I finished reading the newspaper. \u5831\u7d19\u6211\u770b\u5f97\u5b8c\uff61 \u62a5\u7eb8\u6211\u770b\u5f97\u5b8c\uff61
\tT\u0101 p\u01ceo de chu\u01cenbúshàng qì lái. He was out of breath from running. \u4ed6\u8dd1\u5f97\u5598\u4e0d\u4e0a\u6c23\u4f86\u3002 \u4ed6\u8dd1\u5f97\u5598\u4e0d\u4e0a\u6c14\u6765\u3002
\tT\u0101 chàng g\u0113 chàng de h\u011bn h\u01ceo. He sings very well. \u4ed6\u5531\u6b4c\u5531\u5f97\u5f88\u597d\u3002 \u4ed6\u5531\u6b4c\u5531\u5f97\u5f88\u597d\u3002
\tXi\u0101ng G\u01ceng b\u01d0 B\u011bij\u012bng de ti\u0101nqì rè dé du\u014d. The weather in Hong Kong is much hotter than Beijing. \u9999\u6e2f\u6bd4\u5317\u4eac\u7684\u5929\u6c23\u71b1\u5f97\u591a\u3002
\t\u9999\u6e2f\u6bd4\u5317\u4eac\u7684\u5929\u6c14\u70ed\u5f97\u591a\u3002<\/p>\n
\t <\/p>\n
\t <\/p>\n
\tOther uses of the character \u5f97<\/p>\n
\tPleas note that the character \u5f97 has other uses and can be pronounced in many different ways:<\/p>\n
\t\u5f97 de (neutral tone) – potential complement or adverb marker as discussed in this article
\t\u5f97 dé (second tone) – to achieve, to reach, for example in: \u5f97\u5230 (to get, achieve)
\t\u5f97 d\u011bi (third tone) – to must, to have to, as in: \u6211\u5f97\u8d70\u4e86 (I have to go) <\/p>\n