HSK 2
Result Complements (完/到/见) in Chinese
A result complement is a short word added right after a verb to show the outcome of the action: verb + result. 吃完 (finish eating), 看见 (see, as a result of looking), 找到 (find), 听懂 (understand by listening). The result attaches directly to the verb, before 了 or the object.
STRUCTURE
Verb + Result (吃完, 看见, 找到)
When to use 完/到/见 — and when not
Use it when
- Showing an action reached its result: 我吃完了。
- Common results — 完 finish, 到 reach/succeed, 见 perceive, 懂 understand, 好 done: 作业写完了。
- Negating with 没 when the result didn't happen: 我没听懂。
Don't use it when
- Splitting verb and result — they stay together: 看见, not 看...见 with words between.
- 不 to negate a completed result — use 没: 我没找到, not 我不找到。
- Confusing it with the potential form 得/不 — 看得见 / 看不见 (can/can't see) is a separate pattern.
Right vs. wrong
我昨天不听懂。
我昨天没听懂。
不 used for a result that failed in a completed event
昨天 makes this a completed event. When the intended result did not happen, use 没: 我昨天没听懂. For general inability, use the potential complement 听不懂。
我吃饭完了。
我吃完饭了。
Object inserted between verb and result
The result complement attaches directly to the verb: 吃完. The object goes after the verb + result: 吃完饭. Splitting 吃...完 with 饭 is wrong.
Examples
我吃完了。
Wǒ chī wán le.
I've finished eating.
我找到了我的手机。
Wǒ zhǎo dào le wǒ de shǒujī.
I found my phone.
你听懂了吗?
Nǐ tīng dǒng le ma?
Did you understand (by listening)?
作业写完了。
Zuòyè xiě wán le.
The homework is finished.
我没看见他。
Wǒ méi kàn jiàn tā.
I didn't see him.
Common mistakes
我昨天不听懂。
Wǒ zuótiān bù tīng dǒng.
A failed result in a completed event uses 没: 我昨天没听懂。
我吃饭完了。
Wǒ chī fàn wán le.
Result attaches to the verb; object after: 我吃完饭了。
我看他见了。
Wǒ kàn tā jiàn le.
Verb and result stay together: 我看见他了。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 完/到/见 sentence and check that grammar point first.
Result Complements (完/到/见) FAQ
What is a result complement?
A word right after a verb showing the outcome: 吃完 (finish eating), 看见 (see), 找到 (find), 听懂 (understand). It tells you the action succeeded or reached a result.
How do I make it negative?
For a completed event whose result did not happen, use 没(有): 我没吃完, 我没听懂. For general inability, use the potential complement with 不: 我听不懂 means "I can't understand it".
Where does the object go?
After the verb + result: 吃完饭 (finish the meal), 看完书 (finish the book). Keep the verb and result together; don't split them with the object.