Difference between revisions of "Expressing "about to happen" with "le""
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Remember that 了 (le) is not only for the past! When something is ''about to happen,'' you can also indicate this using 了 (le). Normally it is paired with a 快 (kuài) and/or a 要 (yào). | Remember that 了 (le) is not only for the past! When something is ''about to happen,'' you can also indicate this using 了 (le). Normally it is paired with a 快 (kuài) and/or a 要 (yào). | ||
| − | == 快 (要) | + | == 快 (要)⋯⋯了 with Verbs == |
| − | When using "快(要) | + | When using "快(要)⋯⋯了" (kuài (yào)... le) with verbs, it takes on a meaning similar to the English "just about to." |
=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
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Notice that for some translations, it's more natural to use the English word "almost" instead of "soon." | Notice that for some translations, it's more natural to use the English word "almost" instead of "soon." | ||
| − | == | + | == 快⋯⋯了 with Adjectives == |
| − | In this structure, | + | In this structure, 快⋯⋯了 (kuài⋯⋯ le) is closer to the meaning of "almost" in English. |
=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
Revision as of 09:10, 20 October 2016
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Remember that 了 (le) is not only for the past! When something is about to happen, you can also indicate this using 了 (le). Normally it is paired with a 快 (kuài) and/or a 要 (yào).
Contents
快 (要)⋯⋯了 with Verbs
When using "快(要)⋯⋯了" (kuài (yào)... le) with verbs, it takes on a meaning similar to the English "just about to."
Structure
快(要) + Verb / Verb Phrase + 了
Examples
- 我们 快 到 了。 We're almost there.
- 快 下雨 了，我们 走 吧。 It's going to rain soon. Let's go.
- 快 要 过年 了，你 什么 时候 回家？ It's almost Chinese New Year. When are you going back to your hometown?
- 我 女朋友 快 要 过 生日 了。 My girlfriend is about to have her birthday.
- 快 下 车 了 ，你 再 等 一会儿。 We're almost there. Get ready to get out of the car soon.
Notice that for some translations, it's more natural to use the English word "almost" instead of "soon."
快⋯⋯了 with Adjectives
In this structure, 快⋯⋯了 (kuài⋯⋯ le) is closer to the meaning of "almost" in English.
Structure
快 + Adj. + 了
Note that for adjectives, you don't normally add a 要 (yào) like you do for verbs (see above).
Examples
- 天 快 黑 了。 It’s almost getting dark.
- 我 快 好 了。 I'm almost ready.
- 我们 快 迟到 了。 We're about to be late.
- 这些 脏衣服 快 臭 了。 The clothes are about to smell bad.
- 不 能 再 喝 了，我 快 醉 了。 I don't want to drink more, I am almost drunk.
要......了 with Verbs
Structure
You can also just use 要 (yào) before the verb, without 快 (kuài) .
Subj. + 要 + Verb / Verb Phrase + 了
Note that for adjectives, you don't normally use 要 (yào) like this, as you do for verbs (see above).
Examples
- 我 要 生气 了！ I'm going to get angry!
- 他们 的 孩子 要 出生 了。 Their child is about to be born.
- 9 点 了，超市 要 关门 了。 It's 9 o'clock. The supermarket is about to close.
- 我 最好 的 朋友 要 结婚 了！ My best friend is about to get married!
- 圣诞节 要 到 了，你 有 什么 打算 ？ It's almost Christmas. What plans do you have?
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Boya Chinese Elementary Starter 1 (博雅汉语初经起步篇) (p.183)→buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 267-8) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (pp. 196-7) →buy
- 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册） (p. 271)→buy
Websites
- ChinesePod: Qing Wen - 了 (le): Something's About to Happen (free podcast content)
