Difference between revisions of "Advanced "le" after an object"

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You may have learned that 了 (le) follows immediately after a verb to indicate completion (AKA [[了1]]), and comes at the end of a sentence when it indicates a "[[Change of state with "le"|change of state]]" (AKA [[了2]]). But what's the explanation for how it frequently follows not the verb, but the object after the verb? That's what this grammar point is about: bringing a bit more depth to your understanding of [[expressing completion with "le"]].
 
You may have learned that 了 (le) follows immediately after a verb to indicate completion (AKA [[了1]]), and comes at the end of a sentence when it indicates a "[[Change of state with "le"|change of state]]" (AKA [[了2]]). But what's the explanation for how it frequently follows not the verb, but the object after the verb? That's what this grammar point is about: bringing a bit more depth to your understanding of [[expressing completion with "le"]].
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== Two Possible Structures ==
 
== Two Possible Structures ==
  
Both of these basic structures are possible (and correct).  
+
Both of these basic structures are possible (and correct), even when 了 is merely indicating completion.  
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Verb + Obj. + 了
+
Subj. + Verb + 了 + Obj.
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Verb + 了 + Obj.
+
Subj. + Verb + Obj. + 了
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
The point of this article is to determine when to use one, and when to use the other. Note that there maybe be other words and phrases slipped into the general patterns above.
+
If it's a rather short and simple sentence, putting 了 directly after the verb, while not technically incorrect, can make the sentence feel incomplete. For example:
  
== 了 Proceeding An Object ==
+
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul>
 +
<li class="q">我 上 <em></em> 课 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ shàng <em>le</em> kè.</span><span class="trans"> I took the class....</span> </li>
 +
<li class="q">老师 问 <em>了</em> 问题。<span class="pinyin">Lǎoshī wèn <em>le</em> wèntí.</span><span class="trans">The teacher asked questions....</span> </li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
  
=== Used with 结束性动词 ===
+
So what are the rules for when to put 了 directly after verb, and when to put it after the object? That is the point of this article.
  
“了1”用在结束性动词后表示完成,如“买、忘、知道、懂、学会、找到”等。
+
== 了 After a Verb with an Object ==
 +
Verb + 了 + Obj.
  
<div class="liju">
+
The tone of the sentence above is not sufficient, but when the following conditions are met, “了” is typically placed before the object, which completes the sentence and gives it an accomplished tone.
 +
Verb + 了 + Obj.语气上往往不能自足,但满足以下几种条件时,“了”通常在宾语前,句子的语气才完整。
 +
 
 +
=== Specifying the Object ===  
  
*我们 买 <em>了</em> 礼物 。<span class="trans">We bought the present.</span>
 
*老板 知道 <em>了</em> 这件事 。<span class="trans">The boss knew about this.</span>
 
*她 找到 <em>了</em> 工作 。<span class="trans">She found a job.</span>
 
*孩子 学会 <em>了</em> 游泳 。<span class="trans">The child learned how to swim.</span>
 
  
</div>
+
宾语有修饰限定的成分,如数量短语、形容词,或者宾语本身即专有名词。[[Expressing completion with "le"|When the Object's Quantity is Specified]]
  
“了1”用在持续性动词后表示实现,如“吃、看、听、住、洗、停”等。但从语气上来说,"Verb+了1+Noun"这种句子往往是不能自足的。后面一般要加”了2“和后续小句。除非是在对话的答句中,结束性动词构成的”Verb+了1+Noun“可以成句。如:
+
Some examples:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*A: 你 到 北京 <em>了</em> 吗 ?<span class="trans">Did you arrive in Beijing?</span>
+
 
*B: 我 到 <em>了</em> 北京 。<span class="trans">I did arrive in Beijing.</span>
+
*他 买 <em>了</em> <strong>一辆</strong> 车 。<span class="pinyin">Tā mǎi <em>le</em> <strong>yī liàng</strong> chē.</span><span class="trans">He bought a car.</span>
 +
*妈妈 做 <em>了</em> <strong>很多</strong> 菜 。<span class="pinyin">Māmā zuò <em>le</em> <strong>hěnduō</strong> cài.</span><span class="trans">Mom made many dishes.</span>
 +
*我们 吃 <em>了</em> <strong>印度 菜</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen chī <em>le</em> <strong>Yìndù</strong> cài.</span><span class="trans">We ate Indian food.</span>
 +
*她 穿 <em>了</em> <strong>最漂亮 的</strong> 裙子 <span class="pinyin">Tā chuān <em>le</em> <strong>zuì piàoliang de</strong> qúnzi.</span><span class="trans">She wore her most beautiful dress.</span>
 +
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 +
=== Specifying the Time, Place, Purpose, etc. ===
  
<div class="liju">
+
When time, place, and purpose are specified in a sentence, can be used to indicate completion. 句中有时间、地点、目的、方式等状语。[[Expressing completion with "le"|When Time is Specified]]
*A: 你们 吃 早饭 <em></em> 吗 ?<span class="trans">Did you eat breakfast.</span>
 
*B: 我们 都 吃 <em>了</em> 早饭 。<span class="trans">We all had breakfast.</span>
 
</div>
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*A: 你 看 这本书 <em>了</em> 吗 ?<span class="trans">Did you read this book?</span>
 
*B: 我 看 <em>了</em> 这本书 。<span class="trans">I read this book.</span>
 
</div>
 
  
Note:
+
*我 <strong>昨天</strong> 看 <em>了</em> 电影 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>zuótiān</strong> kàn <em>le</em> diànyǐng.</span><span class="trans">I saw a movie yesterday.</span>
 +
*我 <strong>和 同事 一起</strong> 吃 <em>了</em> 饭 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>hé tóngshì yīqǐ</strong> chī <em>le</em> fàn.</span><span class="trans">I had dinner together with my colleagues.</span>
 +
*我们 <strong>在 动物园 和 熊猫</strong> 拍 <em>了</em> 照 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <strong>zài dòngwùyuán hé xióngmāo</strong> pāi <em>le</em> zhào.</span><span class="trans">We took photos with pandas in the zoo.</span>
 +
*他 女朋友 <strong>为了 他</strong> 辞 <em>了</em> 工作 。<span class="pinyin">Tā nǚ péngyou <strong>wèile tā</strong> cí <em>le</em> gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans">His girlfriend quit her job for him.</span>
 +
*他们 <strong>顺利 地</strong> 到 <em>了</em> 南极 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen <strong>shùnlì de</strong> dào <em>le</em> nánjí.</span><span class="trans">They arrived at the South Pole successfully.</span>
  
“了“放在动词和宾语之间是有条件的,宾语要么有修饰限定的成分,要么是特指。也就是说,宾语前面要有说明性成分,如数量短语、形容词、限定性短语等。
+
</div>
  
If the object placed after the verb is very simple, it is typical to have something modifying the object, such as a number and measure word, an adjective, or 限定性短语, or the sentence should specify a time, place, reason, or method for the action. (If this paragraph gets included, it probably should go somewhere below)
+
=== Used as An Answer to A Question ===
  
 +
In a conversation, 了 can be used to respond or answer. Within context, it can create a sufficient reply.
 +
在对话中作为答句,因为语境充分,可以成句。
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
<ul>
+
 
<li class="q">我  上 <em>了</em> 课 。<span class="trans"> I took the class (and I finished it).</span> </li>
+
<ul class="dialog">
<li class="q"> 老师 问 <em>了</em> 问题。<span class="trans">The teacher asked questions.</span> </li>
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 带 电脑 <em>了</em> 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ dài diànnǎo <em>le</em> ma?
 +
</span><span class="trans">Did you bring your computer?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 带 <em>了</em> 电脑 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ dài <em>le</em> diànnǎo.</span><span class="trans">Yes, I've had it.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 +
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
如果句末再加一个“了”,则表示加强肯定语气,这时宾语因为是特指的,所以可能就是非常简单的。
+
== Completion in the Future ==
  
If there is another placed at the end of the sentence, it can add a stronger emphasis that the action ''was'' completed, in the same way we might say we "''did'' finish the work" instead of just saying we "finished the work."
+
In this case , 了 is often placed after a Verb with an Object. To illustrate that (le) can also indicate that one action is completed before another in the ''future'', see the following examples:
  
=== Examples ===
+
Some examples:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*我 <em></em> 作业 <em>了</em>,你 要 看 吗 ?<span class="trans">I did finish my homework. Do you want to see it?</span>
+
*你 到 <em>了</em> 给 打 电话 。<span class="expl">future action</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ dào <em>le</em> gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.</span><span class="trans">After you have arrived, call me.</span>
*我们 吃 <em>了</em> <em></em>,你 不用 给 我们 做 吃的 。<span class="trans">We did eat.You don't need to cook for us.</span>
+
*我 下 <em>了</em> 课 去 找 你 。<span class="expl">future action</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ xià <em>le</em> kè qù zhǎo nǐ.</span><span class="trans">I will go find you after I finish class.</span>
*他 问<em>了</em> 经理 <em></em>,经理 说 行 。<span class="trans">He did ask the manager, and he said yes.</span>
+
*她 想 毕 <em>了</em> 业 就 结婚 。<span class="expl">future action</span><span class="pinyin">Tā xiǎng bì <em>le</em> yè jiù jiéhūn.</span><span class="trans">She wants to get married after she graduates.</span>
 +
*我 打算 生 <em>了</em> 孩子 就 回去 <em>工作</em> 。<span class="expl">future action</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ dǎsuàn shēng <em>le</em> háizi jiù huíqù <em>gōngzuò</em>.</span><span class="trans">I plan to get back to work after childbirth.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Object with a Number and Measure Word ==
+
== Do Not Need “了” to Indicate Completion of an Action or Situation 不需要“了”表完成的情况 ==
  
当宾语前面有数量短语修饰时,“了”一般都紧跟在动词后面。既表示动作的完成,又表示事态有所变化。此时的宾语其实是特指的对象。
+
Cannot use together with a psychological verb.
 +
不能和“心理动词”连用。
  
When the object is preceded by a number and measure word, the 了 is usually placed directly after the verb. It indicates the completion of the action, and shows that the object directly following it is receiving the action of the verb.
+
Can be used together in the middle of a sentence with “以前”.
 +
句中有“以前”连用。
  
=== Structure ===
+
“了” cannot be used together with “会” to indicate future completion of an action.
 +
“了”不能和“会”连用表示将来完成。
  
<div class="jiegou">
+
When a verb is just an attributive of an adverbial attributive of a specific or certain time, “了” is generally not added.
Verb + 了 + Number + Measure Word + Obj.
+
动词只是做某个时间状语的定语时,一般不加“了”。
</div>
 
  
=== Examples ===
+
我刚来了中国的时候,不会说中文。
 +
我上大学了的时候,认识了我女朋友。
  
<div class="liju">
+
== Putting 了 After Consecutive Actions ==
  
*他们 昨天 看<em>了</em>  两 场 电影 。<span class="trans"> They went to see two movies yesterday .</span>
+
“了”的位置起到标志主要事件的作用。
*这顿饭 花 <em>了</em> 两 千 多 块 。<span class="trans">This dinner cost more than two thousand kuai.</span>
 
*你 请 <em>了</em> 几 个 朋友 ?<span class="trans">How many friends have you invited?</span>
 
  
</div>
+
In a list of consecutive events, the position of 了 serves to signal the purpose of the events.
 
 
如果在句末再加一个“了”则有两层含义:一是强调或暗示数量多;二是表示“还有可能继续”。
 
 
 
If another 了 is added at the end of the sentence, it indicates two things. One is to emphasize or imply that the number in front of the object is already a big number, and the other is to indicate that this number could continue to grow.
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*我 给 <em>了</em> 十 几 个 电话<em>了</em> 。<span class="trans">I've made more than ten phone calls to him.</span>
+
*他 坐 高铁 去 <em>了</em> 广州 。<span class="pinyin">Tā zuò gāotiě qùle Guǎngzhōu.</span><span class="trans">He took the high speed train and went to Guangzhou.</span>
*我 哥哥 换 <em>了</em> 三 个 女朋友 <em>了</em>。<span class="trans"> My older brother has had three girlfriends.</span>
+
*我 的 一个 男 同事 帮 我 搬 <em>了</em> <span class="pinyin">Wǒ de yīgè nán tóngshì bāng wǒ bān <em>le</em> jiā.</span><span class="trans">A male coworker helped me move.</span>
 +
*老板 请 我们 吃 <em>了</em> 一 顿 大餐 。<span class="pinyin">Lǎobǎn qǐng wǒmen chī <em>le</em> yī dùn dà cān.</span><span class="trans">My boss invited me to eat a big dinner.</span>
 +
*他 站起来 ,走过去 ,打 <em>了</em> 他 一下 <span class="pinyin">Tā zhàn qǐlái, zǒu guòqù, dǎ <em>le</em> tā yīxià.</span><span class="trans">He stood up and walked to him and hit him.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
如果宾语前既有数量短语限定,也有定语形容词,则不太适用于这种情况。
+
== Usage of Double 了 ==
  
If the object has both a number-measure-word pair and a general adjective associated with it, then it is not very suitable to use an extra 了 in the emphatic way described above.
+
=== Emphasizing "big quantity" ===
  
<div class="liju">
+
如果在句末再加一个“了”,则有两层含义:一是强调或暗示数量多;二是表示“还有可能继续”。
<ul>
+
 
<li class="x">我 买 <em></em> 五 本 <strong>有意思的</strong> 书 <em>了</em> 。<span class="trans">I‘ve bought five interesting books.</span></li>
+
If another is added at the end of the sentence, it indicates two things. One is to emphasize or imply that the number in front of the object is already a big number, and the other is to indicate that this number could continue to grow.
<li class="o">我 买 <em>了</em> 五 本 <strong>有意思的</strong> 书 。<span class="trans">I‘ve bought five interesting books.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
<ul>
 
<li class="x">他 做 <em>了</em> 几 件 <strong>重要的</strong> 事 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="trans">He's done a few important things.</span></li>
 
<li class="o">他 做 <em>了</em> 几 件 <strong>重要的</strong> 事 。<span class="trans">He's done a few important things.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
  
动宾结构的动词作谓语时,需注意。如“结婚”,“结婚了”表示动作或者状态的完成;“结了婚”表示句子还没说完,还有后续的分句补充。
+
*他们 生 <em>了</em> <strong>四 个</strong> 孩子 <em>了</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen shēng <em>le</em> <strong>sì gè</strong> háizi <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">They've had four children already.</span>
 +
*你 吃 <em>了</em> <strong>五 个</strong> 包子 <em>了</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ chī <em>le</em> <strong>wǔ gè</strong> bāozile.</span><span class="trans">You've eaten five baozi already.</span>
 +
*她 一年 换 <em>了</em> <strong>三 个</strong> 工作 <em>了</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā yī nián huàn <em>le</em> sān <strong>gè</strong> gōngzuò <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">She had three different jobs within one year.</span>
  
A verb-object structured word, such as "看书," "吃饭," or "结婚," a phrase like "结婚了" would simply indicate that the action or state has been completed, whereas "结了婚" would, in addition, indicate that the speaker has more to say or comment on after the phrase.
+
</div>
  
<div class="liju">
+
=== Giving a tone of strong confirmation ===
  
*我 已经 下班 <em>了</em>。<span class="trans">I‘m off work now.</span>
+
如果句末再加一个“了”,表示加强肯定语气,因为语气充足,允许宾语极其简单。
*我 下 <em>了</em> 班 就 去 见 你。<span class="trans">I‘ll see you as soon as I get off work.</span>
 
*他 离婚<em>了</em> 。<span class="trans">He got a divorce.</span>
 
*他 离 <em>了</em> 婚 以后 又 找 了 一 个 女人。<span class="trans">After the divorce he found another woman.</span>
 
  
</div>
+
If there is another 了 placed at the end of the sentence, it can add a stronger emphasis that the action ''was'' completed, in the same way we might say we "''did'' finish the work" instead of just saying we "finished the work."
  
在一连串的事件中,“了”的位置起到标志主要事件的作用。
+
<div class="liju">
  
In a list of consecutive events, the position of serves to signal the purpose of the events.
+
*我 做 <em>了</em> 作业 <em>了</em> ,你 要 检查 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zuò <em>le</em> zuòyè <em>le</em>, nǐ yào jiǎnchá ma?</span><span class="trans">I did finish my homework. Do you want to check it?</span>
 +
*不用 给 我们 盛饭 ,我们 吃 <em>了</em> 饭 <em></em> 。<span class="pinyin">Bùyòng gěi wǒmen chéng fàn, wǒmen chī <em>le</em> fàn <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">You don't need to   serve rice for us. We did eat.</span>
 +
*他 问<em>了</em> 经理 <em>了</em> ,经理 说 行 。<span class="pinyin">Tā wèn <em>le</em> jīnglǐ <em>le</em>, jīnglǐ shuō xíng.</span><span class="trans">He did ask the manager, and he said yes.</span>
  
<div class="liju">
 
*他 上周 帮 我 搬 <em>了</em> 家 。<span class="trans">He helped me move last week.</span>
 
*老板 请 我 吃<em>了</em> 一 顿 大餐。<span class="trans">My boss invited me to a big dinner.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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[[Category:B2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:B2 grammar points]]
 
{{Basic Grammar|了|B2|Verb + Obj. + 了|我 吃 <em>了</em> 早饭 。|grammar point|ASG4K5WH}}
 
{{Basic Grammar|了|B2|Verb + Obj. + 了|我 吃 <em>了</em> 早饭 。|grammar point|ASG4K5WH}}
{{Similar|Uses of "le"}}
+
{{Similar|Expressing completion with "le"}}
{{Used for|}}
+
{{Similar|Advanced "le" with complements}}
 +
{{Used for|Expressing completion}}
 +
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
 +
{{Used for|Referring to the past}}
 
{{POS|Particles}}
 
{{POS|Particles}}

Revision as of 02:29, 7 July 2020

You may have learned that 了 (le) follows immediately after a verb to indicate completion (AKA 了1), and comes at the end of a sentence when it indicates a "change of state" (AKA 了2). But what's the explanation for how it frequently follows not the verb, but the object after the verb? That's what this grammar point is about: bringing a bit more depth to your understanding of expressing completion with "le".

Two Possible Structures

Both of these basic structures are possible (and correct), even when 了 is merely indicating completion.

Subj. + Verb + 了 + Obj.

Subj. + Verb + Obj. + 了

If it's a rather short and simple sentence, putting 了 directly after the verb, while not technically incorrect, can make the sentence feel incomplete. For example:

  • 我 上 课 。Wǒ shàng le kè. I took the class....
  • 老师 问 问题。Lǎoshī wèn le wèntí.The teacher asked questions....

So what are the rules for when to put 了 directly after verb, and when to put it after the object? That is the point of this article.

了 After a Verb with an Object

Verb + 了 + Obj.

The tone of the sentence above is not sufficient, but when the following conditions are met, “了” is typically placed before the object, which completes the sentence and gives it an accomplished tone. Verb + 了 + Obj.语气上往往不能自足,但满足以下几种条件时,“了”通常在宾语前,句子的语气才完整。

Specifying the Object

宾语有修饰限定的成分,如数量短语、形容词,或者宾语本身即专有名词。When the Object's Quantity is Specified

Some examples:

  • 他 买 一辆 车 。Tā mǎi le yī liàng chē.He bought a car.
  • 妈妈 做 很多 菜 。Māmā zuò le hěnduō cài.Mom made many dishes.
  • 我们 吃 印度 菜Wǒmen chī le Yìndù cài.We ate Indian food.
  • 她 穿 最漂亮 的 裙子 。Tā chuān le zuì piàoliang de qúnzi.She wore her most beautiful dress.

Specifying the Time, Place, Purpose, etc.

When time, place, and purpose are specified in a sentence, 了 can be used to indicate completion. 句中有时间、地点、目的、方式等状语。When Time is Specified

  • 昨天 电影 。zuótiān kàn le diànyǐng.I saw a movie yesterday.
  • 和 同事 一起 饭 。hé tóngshì yīqǐ chī le fàn.I had dinner together with my colleagues.
  • 我们 在 动物园 和 熊猫 照 。Wǒmen zài dòngwùyuán hé xióngmāo pāi le zhào.We took photos with pandas in the zoo.
  • 他 女朋友 为了 他 工作 。Tā nǚ péngyou wèile tāle gōngzuò.His girlfriend quit her job for him.
  • 他们 顺利 地 南极 。Tāmen shùnlì de dào le nánjí.They arrived at the South Pole successfully.

Used as An Answer to A Question

In a conversation, 了 can be used to respond or answer. Within context, it can create a sufficient reply. 在对话中作为答句,因为语境充分,可以成句。

  • A:你 带 电脑 吗?Nǐ dài diànnǎo le ma? Did you bring your computer?
  • B: 我 带 电脑 。Wǒ dài le diànnǎo.Yes, I've had it.

Completion in the Future

In this case , 了 is often placed after a Verb with an Object. To illustrate that 了 (le) can also indicate that one action is completed before another in the future, see the following examples:

Some examples:

  • 你 到 给 我 打 电话 。future actionNǐ dào le gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.After you have arrived, call me.
  • 我 下 课 去 找 你 。future actionWǒ xià le kè qù zhǎo nǐ.I will go find you after I finish class.
  • 她 想 毕 业 就 结婚 。future actionTā xiǎng bì le yè jiù jiéhūn.She wants to get married after she graduates.
  • 我 打算 生 孩子 就 回去 工作future actionWǒ dǎsuàn shēng le háizi jiù huíqù gōngzuò.I plan to get back to work after childbirth.

Do Not Need “了” to Indicate Completion of an Action or Situation 不需要“了”表完成的情况

Cannot use together with a psychological verb. 不能和“心理动词”连用。

Can be used together in the middle of a sentence with “以前”. 句中有“以前”连用。

“了” cannot be used together with “会” to indicate future completion of an action. “了”不能和“会”连用表示将来完成。

When a verb is just an attributive of an adverbial attributive of a specific or certain time, “了” is generally not added. 动词只是做某个时间状语的定语时,一般不加“了”。

我刚来了中国的时候,不会说中文。 我上大学了的时候,认识了我女朋友。

Putting 了 After Consecutive Actions

“了”的位置起到标志主要事件的作用。

In a list of consecutive events, the position of 了 serves to signal the purpose of the events.

  • 他 坐 高铁 去 广州 。Tā zuò gāotiě qùle Guǎngzhōu.He took the high speed train and went to Guangzhou.
  • 我 的 一个 男 同事 帮 我 搬 家 。Wǒ de yīgè nán tóngshì bāng wǒ bān le jiā.A male coworker helped me move.
  • 老板 请 我们 吃 一 顿 大餐 。Lǎobǎn qǐng wǒmen chī le yī dùn dà cān.My boss invited me to eat a big dinner.
  • 他 站起来 ,走过去 ,打 他 一下 。Tā zhàn qǐlái, zǒu guòqù, dǎ le tā yīxià.He stood up and walked to him and hit him.

Usage of Double 了

Emphasizing "big quantity"

如果在句末再加一个“了”,则有两层含义:一是强调或暗示数量多;二是表示“还有可能继续”。

If another 了 is added at the end of the sentence, it indicates two things. One is to emphasize or imply that the number in front of the object is already a big number, and the other is to indicate that this number could continue to grow.

  • 他们 生 四 个 孩子 Tāmen shēng le sì gè háizi le.They've had four children already.
  • 你 吃 五 个 包子 Nǐ chī le wǔ gè bāozile.You've eaten five baozi already.
  • 她 一年 换 三 个 工作 Tā yī nián huàn le sān gōngzuò le.She had three different jobs within one year.

Giving a tone of strong confirmation

如果句末再加一个“了”,表示加强肯定语气,因为语气充足,允许宾语极其简单。

If there is another 了 placed at the end of the sentence, it can add a stronger emphasis that the action was completed, in the same way we might say we "did finish the work" instead of just saying we "finished the work."

  • 我 做 作业 ,你 要 检查 吗 ?Wǒ zuò le zuòyè le, nǐ yào jiǎnchá ma?I did finish my homework. Do you want to check it?
  • 不用 给 我们 盛饭 ,我们 吃 Bùyòng gěi wǒmen chéng fàn, wǒmen chī le fàn le.You don't need to serve rice for us. We did eat.
  • 他 问 经理 ,经理 说 行 。Tā wèn le jīnglǐ le, jīnglǐ shuō xíng.He did ask the manager, and he said yes.

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5