Difference between revisions of "Expressing "now" with "le""

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== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
  
This pattern is actually the same as [[change of state with "le,"]] but the examples below are somewhat idiomatic and can also easily be confused with a direct translation of "now" in Chinese, so they get special treatment here.
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This pattern is actually the same as [[change of state with "le"]], but the examples below are somewhat idiomatic and can also easily be confused with a direct translation of "now" in Chinese, so they get special treatment here.
  
 
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Revision as of 08:33, 30 June 2015

Chinese-grammar-wiki-le.jpg

现在 (xiànzài) isn't the only way to express "now." You'll notice that in many common expressions, 了 (le) is used in place of the word for "now."

Structure

This pattern is actually the same as change of state with "le", but the examples below are somewhat idiomatic and can also easily be confused with a direct translation of "now" in Chinese, so they get special treatment here.

[New Situation] + 了

Examples

  • 吃 饭 Chī fàn le! Time to eat!
  • 我 走 Wǒ zǒu le. I'm leaving now.
  • 我 来 This can also mean "I'm here now." Be careful!Wǒ lái le. I'm coming over now. / I'm on the way.
  • 我 知道 Wǒ zhīdao le. I get it now. / I see now. / Now I know. (I didn't before)
  • 现在 我 明白 Xiànzài wǒ míngbai le. Now I understand.
  • 我 想 你 Wǒ xiǎng nǐ le! I miss you now!
  • 我 去 睡觉 Wǒ qù shuìjiào le. I'm going to bed now.
  • 快 点儿 , 开会 Kuài diǎnr, kāihuì le! Hurry up, it's time for the meeting now!
  • 该 你 Gāi nǐ le. It's your turn now.
  • 你 迟到 Nǐ chídào le! You're late!

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites