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  3. Expressing ongoing duration with double 了 ("le")

Expressing ongoing duration with double 了 ("le")

了 le

Verb
HSK 2

Structure

Subj. + Verb + 了 + Duration + 了 Subj. + Verb + Obj. + Verb + 了 + Duration + 了

Translations

  • says how long something has been going on

Definition

表示一个动作从过去某个时间开始一直持续到现在，并且可能还会继续下去。使用结构为：动词 + 了 + 时间段 + 了。

Indicates that an action started at some point in the past, has been ongoing for a period of time up to the present, and may continue. The structure is: Verb + 了 + time duration + 了.

Usage

用于强调动作的持续性和时间段。第一个‘了’表示动作的完成或实现，第二个‘了’表示状态的变化或持续到现在的状态。通常用于动态动词。

Used to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action and the duration. The first 了 marks the completion or realization of the action, and the second 了 indicates a change of state or the continuation up to now. Typically used with action verbs.

Examples

  • 1 我学中文学了三年了。（I have been studying Chinese for three years.）
  • 2 他在这家公司工作了五年了。（He has been working at this company for five years.）
  • 3 外面下雨下了两个小时了。（It has been raining outside for two hours.）
  • 4 她等了你一个小时了。（She has been waiting for you for an hour.）
  • 5 他们谈恋爱谈了十年了。（They have been in love for ten years.）
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