受得了 / 受不了 shòu de liǎo / shòu bu liǎo

受得了 / 受不了（shòu de liǎo / shòu bu liǎo）means “potential complement 得了/不了: able or unable to endure/manage something”. 得了 / 不了 is a potential complement meaning being able or unable to bear or handle something. Formation: V+得了/不了

potential complement 得了/不了: able or unable to endure/manage something

HSK4

Formation

V+得了/不了

Explanation

得了 / 不了 is a potential complement meaning being able or unable to bear or handle something. 受得了 means can stand it, 受不了 means can't stand it. Similar patterns include 忍得住 / 忍不住 (can/can't hold back).

Examples

今天太热了，我真 受不了。
jīntiān tài rè le wǒ zhēn shòu bu liǎo
It's so hot today, I really can't stand it.
这点儿苦她还 受得了。
zhè diǎnr kǔ tā hái shòu de liǎo
She can still bear this bit of hardship.

Note

了 here is read liǎo, not le. 受不了 also works as a set phrase meaning 'unbearable'. Structure: V + 得/不 + 了.

FAQ

受得了 / 受不了 — what does it mean and how is it used?

potential complement 得了/不了: able or unable to endure/manage something. 得了 / 不了 is a potential complement meaning being able or unable to bear or handle something. 受得了 means can stand it, 受不了 means can't stand it. Similar patterns include 忍得住 / 忍不住 (can/can't hold back).

受得了 / 受不了 — how do you form it?

V+得了/不了

受得了 / 受不了 — any usage notes?

了 here is read liǎo, not le. 受不了 also works as a set phrase meaning 'unbearable'. Structure: V + 得/不 + 了.

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