This is a very interesting grammar point. This will be a short lesson. When I was learning it, it was at first a bit confusing. So I'll try to explain as best as I can. When, "了" comes after a verb, it's pronounce "liao". It means finished, or closed. In other words, the action is unable to be finished or completed. So in order for this to make sense, I'll start giving examples.
E.x
忘不了 (wang4 bu4 liao3) - to be unable to forget
去不了 (qu4 bu4 liao3) - to be unable to go
Know let's talk about what you CAN do. Talking about what you can do has the same formation. Instead of adding "不了" after the verb, you should add "得了". Again in order for this to make sense, I'll start by giving you some examples.
忘得了 (wang4 de liao3) - to be able to forget
去得了 (qu4 de liao3) - to be able to go
Are you starting to see how to use it? I know I did. Now let's put it together.
He said he wouldn't be able to come. 他说他来不了了. (Tā shuō tā lái bu liǎo le)
I won't be able to eat today. 今天我吃不了. (Jīntiān wǒ chī bùliǎo)
Are you able to move your hand? 你的手动得了吗? (Nǐ de shǒudòng déliǎo ma?)
I was able to go to the store. 我去得了商店. (Wǒ qù déliǎo shāngdiàn)
If you have any other examples, post them in the comment section. I would love to eventually make more complicated sentences using this grammar structure in Chinese. Other than that, on to the Vocabulary for today.
趟 (tang4) - measure word for journeys.
This train is late. 这趟车晚了.
挤(ji3) - crowded
The are a lot of people, it's really crowded. 人这么多,挤死了. (Rén zhème duō jì sǐle.)
肯定 (ken3ding4) - to be certain; for sure
Are you sure it's this train? 你肯定是这趟车马? (Nǐ kěndìng shì zhè tàng chē ma?)
高峰时间 (gaofeng shi2jian) - rush hour
The crowding in rush hour is horrible. 高峰时间挤车太可怕了. (Gāofēng shíjiān jì chē tài kěpàle)
脚 (jiao3) - foot
I've walked so far my feet hurt. 走路走得我脚疼.(Zǒulù zǒu dé wǒ jiǎo téng)
地铁 (di4tie3) - subway
During rush hour the subway is very crowded. 高峰时间的地铁很挤.
进去 (jin4 qu4) - to go in
Go in quickly, don't be late. 快进去吧,别晚了. (Kuài jìnqù ba, bié wǎnle)
E.x
忘不了 (wang4 bu4 liao3) - to be unable to forget
去不了 (qu4 bu4 liao3) - to be unable to go
Know let's talk about what you CAN do. Talking about what you can do has the same formation. Instead of adding "不了" after the verb, you should add "得了". Again in order for this to make sense, I'll start by giving you some examples.
忘得了 (wang4 de liao3) - to be able to forget
去得了 (qu4 de liao3) - to be able to go
Are you starting to see how to use it? I know I did. Now let's put it together.
He said he wouldn't be able to come. 他说他来不了了. (Tā shuō tā lái bu liǎo le)
I won't be able to eat today. 今天我吃不了. (Jīntiān wǒ chī bùliǎo)
Are you able to move your hand? 你的手动得了吗? (Nǐ de shǒudòng déliǎo ma?)
I was able to go to the store. 我去得了商店. (Wǒ qù déliǎo shāngdiàn)
If you have any other examples, post them in the comment section. I would love to eventually make more complicated sentences using this grammar structure in Chinese. Other than that, on to the Vocabulary for today.
*Words To Remember*
趟 (tang4) - measure word for journeys.
This train is late. 这趟车晚了.
挤(ji3) - crowded
The are a lot of people, it's really crowded. 人这么多,挤死了. (Rén zhème duō jì sǐle.)
肯定 (ken3ding4) - to be certain; for sure
Are you sure it's this train? 你肯定是这趟车马? (Nǐ kěndìng shì zhè tàng chē ma?)
高峰时间 (gaofeng shi2jian) - rush hour
The crowding in rush hour is horrible. 高峰时间挤车太可怕了. (Gāofēng shíjiān jì chē tài kěpàle)
脚 (jiao3) - foot
I've walked so far my feet hurt. 走路走得我脚疼.(Zǒulù zǒu dé wǒ jiǎo téng)
地铁 (di4tie3) - subway
During rush hour the subway is very crowded. 高峰时间的地铁很挤.
进去 (jin4 qu4) - to go in
Go in quickly, don't be late. 快进去吧,别晚了. (Kuài jìnqù ba, bié wǎnle)