Expressing "already" with just "le"

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

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.

Examples

• 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

• "Already" with "yijing"
• Expressing "not anymore" with "le"
• Uses of "le"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (p. 68) →buy
• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 126-9) →buy
• Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar (pp. 238-99) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (pp. 217-8) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 64-5) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (p. 8) →buy
• 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册） (p. 239)→buy

Websites

• Chinesegrammar.info: Chinese le grammar summary (了)