V得了／V不了 V de liǎo／V bu liǎo
V得了／V不了（V de liǎo／V bu liǎo）means “can / cannot manage to do (complete) something”. The pattern V + 得了/不了 expresses whether one is able to carry out or finish an action. Formation: V得了／V不了（了 读 liǎo）
can / cannot manage to do (complete) something
HSK4Formation
V得了／V不了（了 读 liǎo）
Explanation
The pattern V + 得了/不了 expresses whether one is able to carry out or finish an action. Here 了 is pronounced liǎo (not le) and means 'to finish / be capable'. It often covers ability limited by quantity, time, or circumstances.
Examples
Note
Key: 了 here reads liǎo, not the aspect particle le. ❌ chī bu le ✅ chī bu liǎo
FAQ
V得了／V不了 — what does it mean and how is it used?
can / cannot manage to do (complete) something. The pattern V + 得了/不了 expresses whether one is able to carry out or finish an action. Here 了 is pronounced liǎo (not le) and means 'to finish / be capable'. It often covers ability limited by quantity, time, or circumstances.
V得了／V不了 — how do you form it?
V得了／V不了（了 读 liǎo）
V得了／V不了 — any usage notes?
Key: 了 here reads liǎo, not the aspect particle le. ❌ chī bu le ✅ chī bu liǎo