TSUMUGU · TBCL 3 (est.) · 語法
V得/不動
grammar point · tier 1 · potential complement with 動 (can / can't get it to move)
Whether the action has the force to make the object move or shift.
Hook inherited from 可能補語.
Whether the action has the force to make the object move or shift.
框 · Frame
[verb] 得/不 動 (+ [definite obj])
觸 · Trigger
I want to ask whether someone has the strength to shift a heavy thing.
序 · The move
1Take the verb of effort (拿, 推, 搬, 抬).Is the question whether you have the strength to shift the thing?
2Slot 得 for reaches-it, 不 for falls-short.得動 = it moves; 不動 = it won't budge.
3Close with 動 and put the heavy object after.No 能/可以 added in front — the can/can't already sits inside.
例 · Examples
1你拿lift / carry得動have the force to move it這些書架bookshelf嗎？
Can you lift these bookshelves?
界 · Boundary
可能補語可能補語 is the whole frame V得/不+any result; V得/不動 is the one instance where the result is 動 — having the force to shift it.
結果補語結果補語 reports it happened (搬動了, moved it); V得/不動 asks if it can be done at all and carries no 了.
你能拿動嗎 → 你拿得動嗎 (the can/can't lives inside, not in a front 能)
拿得不動 → 拿不動 (one slot: 得 or 不, never both)
拿動不動 → 拿得動拿不動／拿得動嗎 (動 is the result, not the A-not-A verb)
English 'can lift it' puts the modal before the verb; learners reach for 能/可以 and skip the infix. The 得/不 sits between the verb and 動.