Result Complement - Part 2

Learn six essential result complements in Chinese and how they change the meaning of verbs: 死, 满, 了, 来, 开, 住

Introduction to Result Complements

Result complements are verb suffixes in Chinese that indicate the result or outcome of an action. They are placed immediately after the main verb and provide information about whether the action was successful, complete, or what effect it had.

In this lesson, we will explore six commonly used result complements: 死 (sǐ), 满 (mǎn), 了 (liǎo), 来 (lái), 开 (kāi), and 住 (zhù). Each has distinct meanings and usages that significantly change the meaning of the verb they follow.

Basic Structure: Verb + Result Complement

Example: 打 (dǎ – to hit) + 死 (sǐ – to death) = 打死 (dǎsǐ – to hit to death)

死

sǐ

Literal: to die
As complement: extreme degree

满

mǎn

Literal: full
As complement: completely filled

了

liǎo

Possibility or ability
to complete an action

来

lái

To get along well
Harmonious relationship

开

kāi

To open/separate
Away or apart

住

zhù

To stop/fasten
Fixed or secured

Result Complement: 死 (sǐ)

死

sǐ

Literal meaning: to die

Usage 1: Literal Meaning “to kill”

When used literally, 死 as a result complement indicates that the action causes death.

Chinese Example	Pinyin	English Translation	Audio
那只小猫被打死了。	nàzhǐ xiǎomāo bèi dǎ sǐ le.	That little cat was beaten to death.
在非洲，很多人是被饿死的。	zài fēizhōu, hěnduōrén shì bèi èsǐde.	In Africa, many people starve to death.

Usage 2: Expressing Extreme Degree

Used figuratively, 死 expresses a very high degree or extreme state, similar to English expressions like “to death” or “extremely.”

Chinese Example	Pinyin	English Translation	Audio
这两天公司天天加班，真是忙死了！	zhè liǎngtiān gōngsī tiāntiān jiābān, zhēnshì máng sǐ le!	The company has overtime every day these two days, I’m extremely busy!
等了半天他才来，把我气死了。	děngle bàntiān tā cáilái, bǎ wǒ qì sǐ le.	I waited for him for a long time before he came, it made me extremely angry.

Result Complement: 满 (mǎn)

满

mǎn

Literal meaning: full

Usage: Indicates Complete Filling

满 as a result complement indicates that an action has resulted in something becoming completely full or filled.

Chinese Example	Pinyin	English Translation	Audio
汽车没油了，加满油后，才可以出发。	qìchē méi yóu le, jiā mǎn yóu hòu, cái kěyǐ chūfā.	The car is out of gas, we can only depart after filling it up.
她的包里装满了各种零食。	tāde bāolǐ zhuāng mǎn le gèzhǒng língshí.	Her bag is filled with all kinds of snacks.

Structure Analysis

Verb + 满 + Object

加满油

jiā mǎn yóu

Breakdown:

加 (jiā) – to add

满 (mǎn) – completely

油 (yóu) – oil/gas

Result: The gas tank becomes completely full.

Common Verb Combinations

装 (zhuāng) + 满

to fill up (a container)

加 (jiā) + 满

to fill up (with liquid)

挤 (jǐ) + 满

to be crowded with

摆 (bǎi) + 满

to be covered with (objects)