Result Complements 到, 住, and 走 in Chinese
结果补语：到、住、走
The complements 到, 住, and 走 follow a verb to specify its achieved result. 到 marks successful attainment or acquisition, 住 a stable hold or retention, and 走 removal away from the original place. The combination forms one result predicate, so aspect and objects occur outside the verb-complement unit.
Published August 7, 2026
Reviewed August 7, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Verb + 到/住/走 (+ Object)
Read the structure
The complements 到, 住, and 走 follow a verb to specify its achieved result. 到 marks successful attainment or acquisition, 住 a stable hold or retention, and 走 removal away from the original place. The combination forms one result predicate, so aspect and objects occur outside the verb-complement unit. Keep the model Verb + 到/住/走 (+ Object) visible while you compare each sentence.
我买到票了。
I managed to buy a ticket.
Choose the right context
Use 到 when an action successfully reaches or obtains something. Use 住 when an action produces a stable hold or retained result. Use 走 when an action removes a participant from its original place.
请记住这个号码。
Please remember this number.
Respect the boundary
Do not place the complement before its verb. Do not insert an object inside the verb-complement unit. Do not treat every directional reading of 走 as a result complement.
请住记这个号码。
(Please held remember this number.)
Repair the pattern
The complement precedes its verb: Result complement 住 must follow its verb 记 directly. The verb and complement are reversed: 拿走 is the verb-result unit; reversing it destroys the intended removal predicate.
请记住这个号码。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
我买到票了。
I managed to buy a ticket.
我
Verb
This part occupies the Verb position in the model pattern.
买到
到/住/走 (
This part occupies the 到/住/走 ( position in the model pattern.
票
Object)
This part occupies the Object) position in the model pattern.
了
Verb
This part occupies the Verb position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
我买到票了。
I managed to buy a ticket.
请记住这个号码。
Please remember this number.
他拿走了桌上的书。
He took away the book on the table.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use 到 when an action successfully reaches or obtains something.
- Use 住 when an action produces a stable hold or retained result.
- Use 走 when an action removes a participant from its original place.
Do not use it when
- Do not place the complement before its verb.
- Do not insert an object inside the verb-complement unit.
- Do not treat every directional reading of 走 as a result complement.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
请住记这个号码。
请记住这个号码。
The complement precedes its verb
Result complement 住 must follow its verb 记 directly.
他走拿了桌上的书。
他拿走了桌上的书。
The verb and complement are reversed
拿走 is the verb-result unit; reversing it destroys the intended removal predicate.
请住记这个号码。
Result complement 住 must follow its verb 记 directly.
他走拿了桌上的书。
拿走 is the verb-result unit; reversing it destroys the intended removal predicate.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 结果补语：到、住、走.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 结果补语：到、住、走. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Result Complements 到, 住, and 走 Questions
Is 到 always a direction word here?
No. In 买到 or 找到, 到 presents successful attainment rather than physical motion toward a place.
Does 走 always mean walking away?
No. After a transfer verb such as 拿 or 带, it can mark removal from the original location.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 3 item 【三46】, PDF p. 205 (printed p. 199)
Places verb plus 到、住、走 result complements at Level 3 and supplies acquisition, retention, and removal examples.
Official source现代汉语语法课程讲义
包头师范学院 · 包头师范学院 · 2024
Locator: Complements, slide 38
Defines result complements as outcomes caused by the verb and treats the verb and complement as a causal predicate unit.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Continue learning
完/到/见Result Complements (完/到/见)
Connect the general action-result relation with the specific 到住走 outcomes.
Easy to confuse
上 / 出 / 起 / 下（结果义）Directional Complements with Result Meanings
The same forms may preserve direction or develop a conventional achieved-result interpretation.
Easy to confuse
趋向补语Simple Directional Complements
Physical direction differs from 到住走 completing a verb through attainment, retention, or removal.
Compare
复合趋向补语的趋向意义Compound Directional Complements for Physical Motion
Compound physical motion contrasts with 到 and 走 completing a verb through an achieved result.
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Continue learning
Connect the general action-result relation with the specific 到住走 outcomes.