verb / complement HSK 3
to fall · to drop · to lose · to turn · away (resultative complement)
Meaning
掉 is a highly versatile character that functions both as an independent verb meaning 'to fall' or 'to drop' and as a resultative complement indicating completion or removal. As a complement, it follows verbs to show that something has been disposed of, removed, or completed.
Usage
As a complement, 掉 is extremely common in everyday speech, appearing after action verbs to indicate the action resulted in removal or disappearance (扔掉 'throw away', 忘掉 'forget completely'). As a standalone verb, it often describes physical falling or losing items. Native speakers use it constantly in both formal and informal contexts.
Examples
- 01我的钥匙掉了，到处都找不到。, .I dropped my keys and can't find them anywhere.
- 02这些旧衣服可以扔掉了。.These old clothes can be thrown away.
Common collocations
- 扔掉to throw away
- 忘掉to forget (completely)
- 丢掉to lose, to throw away
- 掉下来to fall down
Antonyms
Origin
The character 掉 combines the hand radical 扌 with 卓, originally suggesting something slipping from one's grasp or control.