Difference between revisions of "Expressing "already" with just "le""
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=== Examples ===
  
 
When "already" is implied using this structure, it is usually (if not always) in response to a preceding question or statement. Therefore, the following examples are in dialogue format.
 
When "already" is implied using this structure, it is usually (if not always) in response to a preceding question or statement. Therefore, the following examples are in dialogue format.
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=== Examples ===
 
  
 
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Revision as of 08:18, 14 March 2016

You understand the word 已经 (yǐjīng) to mean "already" in Chinese, and it is followed with a 了 (le). However, sometimes, that feeling of "already" can also be expressed with 了 (le) alone if it is used in response to a preceding question or statement.

Structure

[Verb phrase] + 了

Examples

When "already" is implied using this structure, it is usually (if not always) in response to a preceding question or statement. Therefore, the following examples are in dialogue format.

  • A: 老板 呢？Lǎobǎn ne? Where is the boss?
  • B:他 走 了。Tā zǒu le. He (already) left.
  • A: 孩子 还在 上 大学 吗？Háizi hái zài shàng dàxué ma? Are your kids still in college?
  • B:他们 工作 了。This expression emphasizes that they're not students anymore, and have already entered the workforce.Tāmen gōngzuò le. They (already) work.
  • A: 用 我 的 车 吧？Yòng wǒ de chē ba? How about using my car?
  • B:谢谢，我们 有 车 了。Xièxie, wǒmen yǒu chē le. Thanks. We (already) have a car.
  • A:你 要 不 要 告诉 他？Nǐ yào bú yào gàosu tā? Are you going to tell him?
  • B:他 知道 了。Tā zhīdao le. He (already) knows.
  • A:你 应该 问 老师。Nǐ yīnggāi wèn lǎoshī. You should ask the teacher.
  • B:我 问 了。Wǒ wèn le. I (already) asked.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

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