Verb + 得 + Adjective

The V + 得 (dak1) + Adjective pattern functions as a manner complement. It evaluates or describes how an action is performed.

1. Basic Structure and Degree Modifiers
Attach 得 (dak1) directly after the main verb. In a neutral statement, a degree modifier like 好 (hou2) is grammatically required to anchor the adjective (e.g., 佢跑得好快 keoi5 paau2 dak1 hou2 faai3, 'He runs fast'). A bare adjective without a modifier (e.g., 佢跑得快 keoi5 paau2 dak1 faai3) implies comparison ('He runs faster') or requires a contrastive context. Other common degree modifiers include 咁 (gam3, 'so') and 啲 (di1, 'a bit/more').

2. Transitive Verbs and Separable Verbs (The Object Rule)
When a verb has a direct object, you cannot place the object directly between the verb and 得 (dak1). This rule also applies to separable verbs (verb-object compounds) like 唱歌 (coeng3 go1, 'to sing'), 跑步 (paau2 bou6, 'to run'), or 游水 (jau4 seoi2, 'to swim'). You can express transitive manner sentences using three common word order structures:
• Verb Copying: V + Obj + V + 得 + Adj (e.g., 佢講廣東話講得好流利 keoi5 gong2 gwong2 dung1 waa2 gong2 dak1 hou2 lau4 lei6, 'He speaks Cantonese fluently'; 佢唱歌唱得好聽 keoi5 coeng3 go1 coeng3 dak1 hou2 teng1, 'He sings beautifully').
• Subject + Object + V + 得 + Adj: Subj + Obj + V + 得 + Adj (e.g., 佢廣東話講得好流利 keoi5 gwong2 dung1 waa2 gong2 dak1 hou2 lau4 lei6, 'He speaks Cantonese fluently').
• Topic Fronting: Obj, Subj + V + 得 + Adj (e.g., 廣東話佢講得好流利 gwong2 dung1 waa2 keoi5 gong2 dak1 hou2 lau4 lei6, 'As for Cantonese, he speaks it fluently').
Alternatively, you can simply drop the object if the context is clear (e.g., 佢唱得好聽 keoi5 coeng3 dak1 hou2 teng1, 'He sings beautifully').

3. Affirmative Ambiguity (Manner vs. Potential)
In affirmative sentences, V + 得 + Adj can be ambiguous between describing manner ('does V in an Adj manner') and expressing potential ability ('able to do V fast/well'). For example, 佢跑得快 (keoi5 paau2 dak1 faai3) can mean either 'He runs faster' or 'He is able to run fast'. Context clarifies the intended meaning.

4. Negation and Questions
• Negation: To negate the manner meaning ('doesn't run fast'), place 唔 (m4) after 得: V + 得 + 唔 + Adj (e.g., 佢跑得唔快 keoi5 paau2 dak1 m4 faai3). To negate the potential meaning ('cannot run fast'), use the pattern V + 唔 + Adj (e.g., 佢跑唔快 keoi5 paau2 m4 faai3). Note that placing 唔 before the verb (i.e., 唔 + V + 得) (e.g., 唔跑得 m4 paau2 dak1) is a completely different pattern that drops the adjective and expresses prohibition or physical inability ('cannot / not allowed to run').
• Questions: To ask how an action is performed, use 點(樣) (dim2 joeng2): V + 得 + 點(樣) + (呀) (e.g., 佢跑得點呀？ keoi5 paau2 dak1 dim2 aa3? 'How does he run?'). To ask a yes/no manner question, use the A-not-A pattern on the adjective: V + 得 + Adj + 唔 + Adj (e.g., 佢跑得快唔快？ keoi5 paau2 dak1 faai3 m4 faai3? 'Does he run fast?') or V + 得 + 好唔好 (e.g., 佢做得好唔好？ keoi5 zou6 dak1 hou2 m4 hou2? 'Did he do it well?'). To ask a potential question, use V + 唔 + V + 得 + Adj (e.g., 佢跑唔跑得快？ keoi5 paau2 m4 paau2 dak1 faai3?, 'Can he run fast?').

5. Comparisons
To form comparisons with manner complements, use V + 得 + Adj + 過 + Object (e.g., 佢跑得快過我 keoi5 paau2 dak1 faai3 gwo3 ngo5, 'He runs faster than me').

6. Cantonese Distinction: 得 (dak1) vs. 到 (dou3)
Do not confuse 得 (dak1) with 到 (dou3). While 得 evaluates manner and state, 到 indicates extreme extent or result (e.g., 攰到瞓着 gui6 dou3 fan3 zoek6, 'so tired that I fell asleep').