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HSK 2.0 Level 3+ HSK 3.0 Level 3+ 6 min read

离不开, 完不成, 分不开 for Splitting 离开, 完成, 分开

离开, 完成 and 分开 are verb + result words that can open up for 得 or 不 to say whether something can or cannot happen.

Pattern

离开 → 离得开 / 离不开; 完成 → 完得成 / 完不成; 分开 → 分得开 / 分不开

Put 得 or 不 between the two parts to say “can” or “can’t”; put 了 after the whole word.

这个孩子还小，离不开妈妈。

When to use 离不开, 完不成, 分不开 for Splitting 离开, 完成, 分开

离开, 完成 and 分开 are each built from a verb plus a result: 离 “leave” + 开 “away,” 完 “finish” + 成 “done,” 分 “divide” + 开 “apart.” Most of the time you use them as one word: 他离开了北京. But you can open them up and put 得 or 不 in the middle to say whether the result is possible: 离得开 / 离不开 “can / can’t leave (or do without),” 完得成 / 完不成 “can / can’t finish,” 分得开 / 分不开 “can / can’t be separated.” In this use 得 and 不 are said lightly: lí bu kāi, wán de chéng.

作业太多了，今天完不成。

There is too much homework; I can’t finish it today.

好成绩和努力是分不开的。

Good grades and hard work go hand in hand.

他昨天就离开北京了。

He already left Beijing yesterday.

这么多工作，你一个人完得成吗？

With this much work, can you finish it by yourself?

Common traps

  • Do not put 了 or 过 in the middle: say 离开了, not 离了开.
  • The “can’t” form puts 不 inside: 完不成, not 不完成 or 完成不.
  • 离不开 can mean “can’t leave” or “can’t do without,” depending on the sentence.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

作业太多了，今天 。

There is too much homework; I can’t finish it today
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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