Adding 到 (dào) right after a Mandarin verb shows that the action reached its result. This pattern — known as a resultative complement — turns 找 (zhǎo, "to look for") into 找到 (zhǎodào, "to find"), so you can tell someone you actually found something, saw something, or heard something.
The structure is simple: Verb + 到 + Result/Object. The verb describes the action, and 到 confirms the result was achieved.
Example: 我找到了我的手机！ (wǒ zhǎo dào le wǒ de shǒu jī) — "I found my phone!"
Here, 找 (zhǎo) means "to look for," but 找到 (zhǎodào) means "to find." Another example from this lesson: 他听到了音乐 (tā tīngdào le yīnyuè) — "He heard the music." With 听到 (tīngdào), the sound actually reached you.
You can also use this pattern in the negative — saying when you didn't find, see, or hear something.
This is a live conversation lesson: you talk out loud with AI teacher Mei Lin in real time. Over roughly 10 minutes, you'll practice the Verb + 到 (dào) pattern by responding to Mei Lin's questions about finding, seeing, and hearing things. Mei Lin corrects your grammar and pronunciation in the flow of conversation and adapts to your level.
This lesson is part of our HSK 3 lessons hub page, where each live lesson targets one specific grammar pattern. You can try your first lesson free to start.
After this lesson, you can tell someone you found something, saw something, or heard something — and say when you didn't. To reinforce what you practiced, print handwriting worksheets with our free printable Chinese worksheet generator — ready-made packs cover HSK 1–3 words. You might also try another HSK 3 live lesson titled "About the Same" (差不多 (chàbuduō)) or another HSK 3 live lesson titled "Adding Emphasis" (不但...而且 (búdàn...érqiě) — Not Only...But Also).
Adding 到 (dào) directly after a verb creates a resultative complement — it shows the action achieved its result. For example, 找 (zhǎo) means "to look for," but 找到 (zhǎodào) means "to find." This lesson, titled "Achieving Results," focuses on this pattern so you can say you found, saw, or heard something.
In this live conversation lesson, you talk out loud with AI teacher Mei Lin for about 10 minutes. She asks questions that prompt you to use Verb + 到 (dào) in context — describing things you found, saw, or heard — and corrects your grammar and pronunciation as you go.
Yes. The lesson covers both positive and negative uses of Verb + 到 (dào). You'll learn to say when you found, saw, or heard something — and also when you didn't, which is just as important for everyday conversation.
This is an HSK 3 grammar lesson in the intermediate category. If you're comfortable with basic Mandarin verbs, you're ready to add 到 (dào) as a resultative complement and practice it in real-time speech with Mei Lin.