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Expressing completion with 了 ("le")

了 le

Particle
HSK 2

Structure

Subj. + Verb + 了 Subj. + Time + Verb + 了 + Obj. Time + Subj. + Verb + 了 + Obj. Subj. + Verb + 了 + [Number + Measure Word] + Obj. Subj. + Verb + Obj. + 了 Subj. + 来 / 去 + Place + Verb / [Verb Phrase] + 了

Translations

  • marks an action as completed

Definition

了（le）是汉语中表示动作完成或状态变化的关键助词，常用于动词后或句末。

了 (le) is a crucial particle in Chinese indicating completion of an action or change of state, often placed after a verb or at the end of a sentence.

Usage

了用于动词后表示动作已经完成，也用于句末表示新情况的出现或变化。否定形式用“没（有）…了”或“还没…呢”。

了 is used after a verb to indicate that an action has been completed, and at the end of a sentence to indicate a new situation or change. The negative form uses '没（有）…了' or '还没…呢'.

Examples

  • 1 我吃了饭。 (I have eaten my meal.)
  • 2 他昨天去了上海。 (He went to Shanghai yesterday.)
  • 3 下雨了。 (It is raining now / It has started to rain.)
  • 4 我学会了游泳。 (I have learned to swim.)
  • 5 她走了。 (She has left.)
  • 6 别去了，商店关门了。 (Don't go, the store has closed.)
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