Difference between revisions of "Expressing "already" with just "le""

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<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 用 我 的 车 吧?<span class="pinyin">Yòng wǒ de chē ba? </span><span class="trans">How about using my car? </span></li>
 
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 用 我 的 车 吧?<span class="pinyin">Yòng wǒ de chē ba? </span><span class="trans">How about using my car? </span></li>
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>谢谢,我们 有 车 <em>了</em>。<span class="pinyin">Xièxie, wǒmen yǒu chē <em>le</em>. </span><span class="trans">Thanks. We (already) got a car. </span></li>
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<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>谢谢,我们 有 车 <em>了</em>。<span class="pinyin">Xièxie, wǒmen yǒu chē <em>le</em>. </span><span class="trans">Thanks. We have (already) gotten a car. </span></li>
 
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Revision as of 08:17, 5 February 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

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 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 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 Xièxie, wǒmen yǒu chē le. Thanks. We have (already) gotten 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 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 Wǒ wèn le. I (already) asked.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites