（要）V就V个补语 for Doing Something Thoroughly in Chinese
（要）V就V个补语
This colloquial frame commits to an action and then intensifies its result or degree: 要玩儿就玩儿个痛快. The verb is repeated on both sides of 就, and 个 introduces a suitable complement such as 痛快, 够, or 明白. The complement must fit the verb and complete the intended emphatic meaning.
Published July 27, 2026
Reviewed July 27, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
(要 +) Verb + 就 + Verb + 个 + Complement
Read the structure
This colloquial frame commits to an action and then intensifies its result or degree: 要玩儿就玩儿个痛快. The verb is repeated on both sides of 就, and 个 introduces a suitable complement such as 痛快, 够, or 明白. The complement must fit the verb and complete the intended emphatic meaning. Keep the model (要 +) Verb + 就 + Verb + 个 + Complement visible while you compare each sentence.
要玩儿就玩儿个痛快。
If we are going to play, let us enjoy it fully.
Choose the right context
Commit to carrying an action through to a satisfying degree. Repeat the same verb on both sides of 就. Use 个 before a compatible result or degree complement.
今天喝就喝个够。
If we drink today, let us drink our fill.
Respect the boundary
Do not move 个 before the second verb. Do not leave 个 without a following complement. Do not assume every verb accepts every complement.
要玩儿就个玩儿痛快。
(If we play, let us enjoy it fully.)
Repair the pattern
个 precedes the repeated verb: The second verb comes before 个 and its complement. The complement after 个 is missing: 个 must introduce a suitable complement such as 够.
要玩儿就玩儿个痛快。
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.
要玩儿就玩儿个痛快。
If we are going to play, let us enjoy it fully.
要
(要
This part occupies the (要 position in the model pattern.
玩儿
) Verb
This part occupies the ) Verb position in the model pattern.
就
就
This part occupies the 就 position in the model pattern.
玩儿
Verb
This part occupies the Verb position in the model pattern.
个
个
This part occupies the 个 position in the model pattern.
痛快
Complement
This part occupies the Complement 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.
要玩儿就玩儿个痛快。
If we are going to play, let us enjoy it fully.
今天喝就喝个够。
If we drink today, let us drink our fill.
有话就说个明白。
If you have something to say, say it clearly.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Commit to carrying an action through to a satisfying degree.
- Repeat the same verb on both sides of 就.
- Use 个 before a compatible result or degree complement.
Do not use it when
- Do not move 个 before the second verb.
- Do not leave 个 without a following complement.
- Do not assume every verb accepts every 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.
要玩儿就个玩儿痛快。
要玩儿就玩儿个痛快。
个 precedes the repeated verb
The second verb comes before 个 and its complement.
今天喝就喝个。
今天喝就喝个够。
The complement after 个 is missing
个 must introduce a suitable complement such as 够.
要玩儿就个玩儿痛快。
Put 个 after the repeated verb.
今天喝就喝个。
Add the complement after 个.
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 （要）V就V个补语.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with （要）V就V个补语. 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
（要）V就V个补语 for Doing Something Thoroughly Questions
Is initial 要 mandatory?
No. The official pattern allows an optional 要; context can already establish the proposed action.
Is 个 a noun classifier here?
It has a constructional role before the complement rather than counting an ordinary noun.
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, combined Levels 7–9 item 【七—九126】, 紧缩复句, PDF p. 257; assigned HSK 7 learning page
Gives the exact repeated-verb frame with optional 要 and examples 玩儿个痛快 and 喝个够.
Official sourceCVC A Level Mandarin: Vocabulary and Grammar Book 1
Mr Fan · UCL IOE Confucius Institute for Schools · 2023
Locator: Lesson 16 grammar, The use of 得, potential and degree complements, printed pp. 76–77; full PDF body opened
Independently explains postverbal result, direction, potential, and degree complements that supply the semantic endpoint used by this GF construction.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
得The 得 (de) Complement
Compare the frame's 个 plus complement with an ordinary descriptive complement introduced by 得.
Easy to confuse
动词＋得/不得Potential Complement with 得 or 不得
Both constrain verb-complement pairings, but V不得 expresses potential or prohibition without emphatic repetition.
Compare
形容词＋得不得了得不得了 for an Extreme Degree
The new frame chooses a satisfying endpoint, while 得不得了 evaluates an already extreme degree.
Easy to confuse
个不停/个没完Continuous State Complement with 个
个痛快 or 个够 supplies an endpoint, whereas 个不停 emphasizes that an action does not stop.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Compare
Compare the frame's 个 plus complement with an ordinary descriptive complement introduced by 得.