Difference between revisions of "Uses of "le""

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|[[ASG9B210|Expressing "about to" with "jiuyao"]] ||Subj. + 就要 + Verb + 了|| <span class="liju">他们 <em>就要</em> 结婚 <strong>了</strong> 。</span> || 了2
 
|[[ASG9B210|Expressing "about to" with "jiuyao"]] ||Subj. + 就要 + Verb + 了|| <span class="liju">他们 <em>就要</em> 结婚 <strong>了</strong> 。</span> || 了2
 
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|[[ASGN1JR5|Expressing "again" in the past with "you"]] ||又 + Verb + 了|| <span class="liju">你 <em>又</em> 迟到 了。</span> || 了2
 
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Revision as of 09:58, 29 December 2017

The Chinese particle 了 has been traditionally divided into two broad categories: aspectual particle 了 (AKA 了1) and modal particle 了 (AKA 了2). However, for a word with as many varied grammatical uses, such broad classifications don't seem particularly helpful to learners. This article offers an alternative way to understand 了: by listing out specific uses and patterns without regard for traditional classifications, starting with the ones learners will want to learn right away, and moving into more and more complicated uses.

Beginner (A1) Uses of 了

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples 了 Type
Expressing "excessively" with "tai" 太 + Adj + 了  ! 了2

Elementary (A2) Uses of 了

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples 了 Type
Expressing completion with "le" Verb + 了 她 去 北京 。 了1
Questions with "le ma" Verb + 了 + 吗 ? 你 吃饭 了 吗 了1
Expressing "already" with just "le" Subj. + Verb + 了 我们 都 知道 了2
Result complement "-wan" for finishing Subj. + Verb + 完 + 了 我 说 完 了2
Expressing change of state with "le" [New Situation] + 了 今天 我 25 岁 了2
Expressing "now" with "le" [New Situation] + 了 电影 开始 了2
Expressing duration Verb + 了 + Duration 他 在 北京 住 了 两 年 了2
Expressing duration (ongoing) Verb + 了 + Duration + 了 他 在 北京 住 了 两 年 了 了2
Expressing "already" with "yijing" 已经 + Verb + 了 已经 了2
Expressing "about to happen" with "le" 快 + Verb / Adj. + 了 下雨 了2
Expressing "not anymore" with "le" (已经 +) 不 / 没(有) + [Verb Phrase] + 了 想 吃 了2
Expressing "stop doing" with "bie… le" 别 + Verb + 了 ,去 写 作业 。 了2
Superlative "zui" 最 + Adj. + 了 四川 菜 了2
Negative adjectives with "-si le" Adj. + 死了 我 今天 累 死了 了2

Intermediate (B1) Uses of 了

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples 了 Type
Making negative adjectives extreme with "-si le" Adj. + 死了 那 个 孩子 难看 死 了 了2
Making positive adjectives extreme with "-ji le" Adj. + 极了 你的 中文 好 极了 了2
Expressing "much more" in comparisons Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + Adj. + 多了 你 高 多 了 了2
Expressing duration of inaction Duration + 没 + [Verb Phrase] ) (+ 了) 他 已经 三 天 没 洗澡 了 。 了2
Expressing "about to" with "jiuyao" Subj. + 就要 + Verb + 了 他们 就要 结婚 了2
Expressing "again" in the past with "you" 又 + Verb + 了 迟到 了。 了2

Upper Intermediate (B2) Uses of 了

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples 了 Type
Intensifying adjectives extreme with "ke" 可 + Adj (+ 了) 你 做 的 菜 可 好吃 了 了2
Expressing "A bit too" Adj + 了一点(儿) 这个 东西 的 质量 是 差 了 一点 了2
Sentence-Final "le 1+2" ⋯⋯了 我 明白 你 为什么 走 了1, 2


See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

Academic Research