得了 / 不了
Pattern
Verb + 得了 / 不了
Key words
Core idea
得了 and 不了 can show whether someone can complete, handle, or bear an action.
Here 了 is read as a capability complement, not the common completed-action marker.
How it works
The pattern follows the verb:
verb + 得了 / 不了The negative form is especially common for “cannot manage to,” “cannot finish,” or “cannot go.”
Usage boundary
This pattern is practical but compact. Use it when the sentence is about whether the action is possible to complete or endure in the situation.
Examples
这么多菜我吃不了。
Zhème duō cài wǒ chī bù liǎo.
I cannot finish eating this much food.
这个工作我做得了。
Zhè ge gōngzuò wǒ zuò de liǎo.
I can handle this job.
明天的会我去不了。
Míngtiān de huì wǒ qù bù liǎo.
I will not be able to go to tomorrow's meeting.
Common mistakes
Avoid
我不了吃这么多菜。
Use
我吃不了这么多菜。
不了 follows the verb to show the action cannot be completed or handled.
Seen in stories
The Box That Would Not Fit
她叹气说：“这个案子破得开，可我休息不了。”
She sighs, “This case can be solved, but I still cannot rest.”
The Comment We Could Not Delete
阿森点了好几次删除，却发现这条评论删不了。
A Sen clicks delete several times, but finds this comment cannot be deleted.
The Comment We Could Not Delete
评论只问一句：“你们真的听得了批评吗？”
The comment only asks, “Can you really handle criticism?”
The Comment We Could Not Delete
有人想关掉回放，可技术同学说今晚关不了。
Someone wants to turn off the replay, but the technical teammate says it cannot be closed tonight.
The Comment We Could Not Delete
队长本来担心大家承受不了新的争论。
The captain originally worries everyone will not be able to bear another argument.
Show 4 more story examples
The Comment We Could Not Delete
可是阿森说，解释得了的问题，就不该假装看不见。
But A Sen says that if a problem can be explained, they should not pretend not to see it.
The Comment We Could Not Delete
越讲，弹幕越安静，最后有人说：“这样我接受得了。”
The more they speak, the quieter the comments become, and finally someone says, “This I can accept.”
The Comment We Could Not Delete
队长说，管得了评论不算本事，回得了问题才算。
The captain says being able to manage comments is not the real skill; being able to answer questions is.
The Comment We Could Not Delete
队长说，管得了评论不算本事，回得了问题才算。
The captain says being able to manage comments is not the real skill; being able to answer questions is.