Difference between revisions of "Expressing "about to happen" with "le""
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| − | * 我 <em>快</em> 好 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>kuài</em> hǎo <em>le</em>.</span> <span class="trans">I'm almost ready.</span> | + | * 我 <em>快</em> 好 <em>了</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>kuài</em> hǎo <em>le</em>.</span> <span class="trans">I'm almost ready.</span> |
| − | * | + | * 我们 <em>快</em> 迟到 <em>了</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>kuài</em> chídào <em>le</em>.</span> <span class="trans">We're about to be late.</span> |
| − | + | * 天 <em>快</em> 黑 <em>了</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Tiān <em>kuài</em> hēi <em>le</em>.</span> <span class="trans">It’s almost getting dark.</span> | |
| − | * 天 <em>快</em> 黑 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Tiān <em>kuài</em> hēi <em>le</em>.</span> <span class="trans">It’s almost getting dark.</span> | + | * 这些 脏衣服 <em>快</em> 臭 <em>了</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Yīfu <em>kuài</em> chòu <em>le</em>.</span> <span class="trans">The clothes are about to smell bad.</span> |
| − | * | + | * 不 能 再 喝 了 ， 我 <em>快</em> 醉 <em>了</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Bù néng zài hē le, wǒ <em>kuài</em> zuì <em>le</em>.</span> <span class="trans">I don't want to drink more, I am almost drunk.</span> |
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| − | * 不 能 再 喝 了 ， 我 <em>快</em> 醉 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Bù néng zài hē le, wǒ <em>kuài</em> zuì <em>le</em>.</span> <span class="trans">I don't want to drink more, I am almost drunk.</span> | ||
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Revision as of 06:21, 4 November 2015
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Keywords
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 。 You are soon getting out of the car, wait a moment.
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
- 我 快 好 了。 I'm almost ready.
- 我们 快 迟到 了。 We're about to be late.
- 天 快 黑 了。 It’s almost getting dark.
- 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) .
Subject + 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
- 要 见 妈妈 了 ， 高兴 吗 ？ You're about to see your mom. Are you happy?
- 我 觉得 要 下雨 了 。 I think it's about to rain.
- 我 要 生气 了 ！ I'm going to get angry!
- 我 要 迟到 了 ！ I'm going to be late!
- 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.
- 圣诞节 要 到 了 ， 你 有 什么 打算 ？ It's almost Christmas. What plans do you have?
- 我 要 结婚 了 ！ 哈哈 ！ I'm about to get married! Ha ha!
- 我 觉得 我 要 感冒 了 。 I think I'm about to get a cold.
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)
