Expressing "now" with "le"

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Chinese-grammar-wiki-le.jpg

The word "now" doesn't always need to be translated as 现在 (xiànzài). 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 Time to eat!
  • 我 走 I'm leaving now.
  • 我 来 This can also mean "I'm here now." Be careful!I'm coming over now. / I'm on the way.
  • 我 知道 I get it now. / I see now. / Now I know. (I didn't before)
  • 现在 我 明白Now I understand.
  • 我 想 你 I miss you now!
  • 我 去 睡觉 I'm going to bed now.
  • 快 点儿,开会 Hurry up, it's time for the meeting now!
  • 该 你 It's your turn now.
  • 你 迟到 You're late!

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites