Basic State Complements with 得 in Chinese
状态补语：动词＋得＋形容词短语
A state complement uses 得 after a verb to describe the state, manner, or observable quality produced while the action occurs. In 她跑得很快, the adjective phrase evaluates the running rather than the person generally. The verb, 得, and complement stay in order; objects require a separate licensed arrangement.
Published August 7, 2026
Reviewed August 7, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Verb + 得 + Adjective Phrase
Read the structure
A state complement uses 得 after a verb to describe the state, manner, or observable quality produced while the action occurs. In 她跑得很快, the adjective phrase evaluates the running rather than the person generally. The verb, 得, and complement stay in order; objects require a separate licensed arrangement. Keep the model Verb + 得 + Adjective Phrase visible while you compare each sentence.
她跑得很快。
She runs very fast.
Choose the right context
Describe how quickly, happily, or carefully an action is performed. Place 得 immediately after the action verb. Use an adjective phrase to comment on the action's manifested state.
我们玩得很高兴。
We had a very enjoyable time playing.
Respect the boundary
Do not place 得 before the verb. Do not move 得 after the adjective phrase. Do not insert an ordinary object between 得 and its complement.
她跑很快得。
(She runs very fast de.)
Repair the pattern
得 follows the complement: 得 links the verb to its following state complement and cannot trail that complement. An adverb splits 得 from its complement: 得 directly follows 玩, and 很高兴 forms the complete adjective phrase after it.
她跑得很快。
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.
她跑得很快。
She runs very fast.
她
Verb
This part occupies the Verb position in the model pattern.
跑得
得
This part occupies the 得 position in the model pattern.
很快
Adjective Phrase
This part occupies the Adjective Phrase 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.
她跑得很快。
She runs very fast.
我们玩得很高兴。
We had a very enjoyable time playing.
他写得很认真。
He writes very carefully.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Describe how quickly, happily, or carefully an action is performed.
- Place 得 immediately after the action verb.
- Use an adjective phrase to comment on the action's manifested state.
Do not use it when
- Do not place 得 before the verb.
- Do not move 得 after the adjective phrase.
- Do not insert an ordinary object between 得 and its 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.
她跑很快得。
她跑得很快。
得 follows the complement
得 links the verb to its following state complement and cannot trail that complement.
我们玩很得高兴。
我们玩得很高兴。
An adverb splits 得 from its complement
得 directly follows 玩, and 很高兴 forms the complete adjective phrase after it.
她跑很快得。
得 links the verb to its following state complement and cannot trail that complement.
我们玩很得高兴。
得 directly follows 玩, and 很高兴 forms the complete adjective phrase after it.
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 状态补语：动词＋得＋形容词短语.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 状态补语：动词＋得＋形容词短语. 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
Basic State Complements with 得 Questions
Does 跑得很快 describe the person or the action?
It directly evaluates the running. Context may support a broader judgment about the person, but the complement modifies the action predicate.
Where does an object go?
Object placement depends on the verb and information structure; common solutions repeat the verb or topicalize the object rather than inserting it between 得 and the complement.
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 2 item 【二51】, PDF p. 192 (printed p. 186)
Places verb plus 得 plus adjective phrase state complements at Level 2 with running and playing 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 state complements as states manifested through an action and notes obligatory 得 between the verb and complement.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Continue learning
得The 得 (de) Complement
Connect the elementary 得 link with the official manifested-state complement pattern.
Continue learning
重动词Repeated Verb Around a Complement
Use verb repetition when an overt object must coexist with a state complement.
Easy to confuse
形容词谓语句Adjective Predicate Sentence
An adjective after 得 evaluates the action, unlike an adjective directly predicated of the subject.
Compare
完/到/见Result Complements (完/到/见)
A state complement describes how an action appears, while a result complement states what it achieves.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Continue learning
Connect the elementary 得 link with the official manifested-state complement pattern.