chéngdù bǔyǔ: 程度补语 - Complement of Degree

• Keywords: 程度补语, chéngdù bǔyǔ, complement of degree in Chinese, Chinese grammar complement, how to describe intensity in Chinese, verb/adjective + 得, Chinese grammar de, Chinese degree complement, how to say 'so… that…' in Chinese, V/Adj + 得 + description, Chinese adverbs.
• Summary: The 程度补语 (chéngdù bǔyǔ), or Complement of Degree, is a fundamental Chinese grammar structure used to describe the extent, degree, or manner of an action or a quality. It answers questions like “How well?”, “How fast?”, or “To what extent?”. This structure, typically marked by the particle 得 (de), follows a verb or adjective, allowing you to add vivid, descriptive detail to your sentences, similar to saying “he runs so fast that…” in English. Mastering the Chinese complement of degree is essential for moving beyond basic sentences and expressing yourself with more nuance and color.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chéngdù bǔyǔ
• Part of Speech: Grammatical Structure / Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 2-3 (Core Concept)
• Concise Definition: A grammatical component that follows a verb or adjective to describe the degree or extent to which it is performed or exists.
• In a Nutshell: Think of the 程度补语 (chéngdù bǔyǔ) as the “how” or “to what extent” part of your sentence. It's a comment on an action or a state. After you state the action (like “he runs” - 他跑), you add the particle 得 (de) and then describe how he runs (“very fast” - 很快). The whole structure becomes “He runs to the extent that it is very fast.” (他跑得很快). It's the key to adding descriptive flair to your verbs.

• 程 (chéng): Degree, extent, level; also means journey or process. Think of it as measuring a distance or a level.
• 度 (dù): Degree, measure, limit. Often seen in words like 温度 (wēndù - temperature).
• 补 (bǔ): To supplement, to complement, to patch, or to make up for.
• 语 (yǔ): Language, word, phrase.

Together, 程度 (chéngdù) means “degree” or “extent.” 补语 (bǔyǔ) literally means “supplementary phrase” or “complement.” Therefore, 程度补语 is a perfect name: it's a “complementary phrase of degree.”

While a grammar point might seem purely technical, its usage reveals cultural communication styles. The complement of degree allows for highly expressive and sometimes exaggerated descriptions, which are common in everyday Chinese speech. It's a tool for vivid storytelling, emphatic complaints, and enthusiastic compliments. Compared to English, where we often use an adverb before the verb (e.g., “He sings beautifully”), Chinese places the description after the verb. The structure is: Action + 得 + Description. This reflects a communication pattern of stating the core fact first (he sings) and then adding a comment or evaluation of it (beautifully). This structure is crucial for giving face (面子 (miànzi)) through detailed compliments (e.g., “You cook so well that it's better than a restaurant's!” - 你做饭做得比饭店的还好吃!). It's also used for humorous hyperbole, a common feature of informal chatter among friends. Understanding this structure isn't just about grammar; it's about understanding how to express emotion and evaluation in a natural, Chinese way.

The Complement of Degree is everywhere in modern Mandarin, from casual chats to formal speeches.

• Giving Compliments: This is one of its most common uses. Instead of just saying “good,” you can be more specific and sincere.
  • 你汉字写得真漂亮！(Nǐ hànzì xiě de zhēn piàoliang! - You write characters so beautifully!)
• Describing Skills: When talking about abilities, this structure is standard.
  • 他篮球打得特别好。(Tā lánqiú dǎ de tèbié hǎo. - He plays basketball exceptionally well.)
• Expressing Feelings and States: It's used to describe the intensity of a feeling or physical state.
  • 昨天晚上我睡得很好。(Zuótiān wǎnshàng wǒ shuì de hěn hǎo. - I slept very well last night.)
  • 我今天忙得没有时间吃饭。(Wǒ jīntiān máng de méiyǒu shíjiān chīfàn. - I was so busy today that I didn't have time to eat.)
• Complaining or Exaggerating:
  • 这件衣服贵得要命！(Zhè jiàn yīfú guì de yàomìng! - These clothes are lethally expensive! / “So expensive it could kill you!”)

• Example 1:
  • 他跑得很快。
  • Pinyin: Tā pǎo de hěn kuài.
  • English: He runs very fast.
  • Analysis: This is the most basic structure: Verb (跑) + 得 + Adjective Phrase (很快). It describes how he runs.
• Example 2:
  • 她今天高兴得唱起歌来了。
  • Pinyin: Tā jīntiān gāoxìng de chàng qǐ gē lái le.
  • English: She was so happy today that she started singing.
  • Analysis: Here, the complement is a whole clause (唱起歌来了), describing the result of her happiness. This shows the structure's versatility.
• Example 3:
  • 他说中文说得非常流利。
  • Pinyin: Tā shuō Zhōngwén shuō de fēicháng liúlì.
  • English: He speaks Chinese very fluently.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the “verb repetition” rule. When a verb (说) has an object (中文), you must repeat the verb before adding “得” and the complement.
• Example 4:
  • 中文他说得非常流利。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngwén tā shuō de fēicháng liúlì.
  • English: (As for) Chinese, he speaks it very fluently.
  • Analysis: This is the second way to handle a verb with an object: move the object to the beginning of the sentence as the topic. This is very common in spoken Chinese.
• Example 5:
  • 你昨天晚上睡得好吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zuótiān wǎnshàng shuì de hǎo ma?
  • English: Did you sleep well last night?
  • Analysis: A simple yes/no question using the complement structure.
• Example 6:
  • 他跑得快不快？
  • Pinyin: Tā pǎo de kuài bu kuài?
  • English: Does he run fast?
  • Analysis: This shows the A-not-A question form, created by making the complement itself into an A-not-A question (快不快).
• Example 7:
  • 我们玩儿得都很开心。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen wánr de dōu hěn kāixīn.
  • English: We all had a very happy time playing.
  • Analysis: The verb is “玩儿” (to play/hang out). The complement “都很开心” describes the extent of the fun.
• Example 8:
  • 那个孩子哭得很难过。
  • Pinyin: Nàge háizi kū de hěn nánguò.
  • English: That child cried very sadly.
  • Analysis: The verb is “哭” (to cry) and the complement “很难过” (very sad) describes the manner of crying.
• Example 9:
  • 我饿得肚子咕咕叫。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ è de dùzi gūgū jiào.
  • English: I was so hungry my stomach was rumbling.
  • Analysis: A vivid, descriptive complement. “饿得” (hungry to the point of) is followed by a clause describing the result.
• Example 10:
  • 他气得脸都红了。
  • Pinyin: Tā qì de liǎn dōu hóng le.
  • English: He was so angry his face turned red.
  • Analysis: A classic example showing an emotional state (气, angry) leading to a physical result (脸都红了, face turned red).

• Mistake 1: Forgetting “得” (de).
  • Incorrect: 他跑很快。(Tā pǎo hěn kuài.)
  • Correct: 他跑得很快。(Tā pǎo de hěn kuài.)
  • Reason: You need the particle “得” to connect the action (跑) to the description of the action (很快). Without it, the sentence is grammatically incomplete.
• Mistake 2: Handling Verbs with Objects Incorrectly. This is the most common pitfall.
  • Incorrect: 我说汉语得很好。(Wǒ shuō hànyǔ de hěn hǎo.)
  • Correct (Option A - Repeat Verb): 我说汉语说得很好。(Wǒ shuō hànyǔ shuō de hěn hǎo.)
  • Correct (Option B - Topic First): 汉语我说得很好。(Hànyǔ wǒ shuō de hěn hǎo.)
  • Reason: The “得” must immediately follow the verb it modifies. If there's an object in the way, you must either repeat the verb or move the object to the front.
• Mistake 3: Confusing “得” with “的” or “地”.
  • Remember the simple rule:
    • 的 (de) is for nouns: 我的书 (my book)
    • 地 (de) is for adverbs (linking description to verb, formal): 高兴地说 (to say happily)
    • 得 (de) is for complements (linking verb to description): 跑得快 (run fast)

• 结果补语 (jiéguǒ bǔyǔ) - Resultative Complement. Describes the result of a verb (e.g., 看完 - to finish watching), whereas the degree complement describes the quality or extent of it.
• 可能补语 (kěnéng bǔyǔ) - Potential Complement. Uses 得 or 不 between a verb and a resultative/directional complement to express ability (e.g., 看得懂 - can understand; 看不懂 - cannot understand).
• 趋向补语 (qūxiàng bǔyǔ) - Directional Complement. Shows the direction of an action using words like 来 (lái) or 去 (qù) (e.g., 跑进来 - to run in).
• 副词 (fùcí) - Adverb. Words like 很 (hěn), 非常 (fēicháng), and 太 (tài) are adverbs. They can be part of a degree complement (e.g., in “跑得很快”), but the entire structure “得很快” is the complement.
• 得 (de) - The indispensable structural particle for forming complements of degree and potential complements.