dòngcí + de/bù + dào
Can/cannot reach or obtain (动词 + 得/不 + 到)
Verb + 得/不 + 到 shows whether an action can reach, find, get, hear, or see its target.
Anchor example
这张票太难买了，我买不到。
Zhè zhāng piào tài nán mǎi le, wǒ mǎi bú dào.
This ticket is too hard to buy; I cannot get one.
HSK 3
HSK 3
1
1 structures
10
10 exercises
Lesson summary
Verb + 得/不 + 到 shows whether an action can reach, find, get, hear, or see its target.
Verb + 得/不 + 到 shows whether an action can reach, find, get, hear, or see its target. Use it only when it adds this exact meaning, and pay attention to its fixed position in Chinese. Compare nearby forms carefully: potential complements show ability, degree adverbs modify states, 看起来/听起来 depend on evidence, 算是 gives a cautious judgment, and 所谓 introduces a term or label.
Grammar pattern
动词 + 得/不 + 到
Verb + 得/不 + 到 shows whether an action can reach, find, get, hear, or see its target.
我找得到你的家。
Wǒ zhǎo de dào nǐ de jiā.
I can find your home.
声音太小，我听不到。
Shēngyīn tài xiǎo, wǒ tīng bú dào.
The sound is too quiet; I cannot hear it.
这个地方我看得到。
Zhège dìfang wǒ kàn de dào.
I can see this place.
Fill in the blank:
