Uses of le

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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.

Beginner (A1) Uses of 了

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

Elementary (A2) Uses of 了

Grammar Point (English) Pattern 了 Type Examples
Expressing Completion with "le" V + 了 了1 她 去 北京。
Questions with "le ma" ……了 + 吗? 了1 北京 去 了 吗
Expressing Duration [Verb Phrase] + [Duration] (+ 了) 了2 他 在 北京 住 了 两 年
Expressing Duration of Inaction [Duration] + 没 + [Verb Phrase] ) (+ 了) 了2 他 已经 三 天 没 洗澡 了。

Intermediate (B1) Uses of 了

Grammar Point (English) Pattern 了 Type Examples
Expressing Completion with "le" V + 了 了1 她 去 北京。

Upper Intermediate (B2) Uses of 了

Grammar Point (English) Pattern 了 Type Examples
Expressing Completion with "le" V + 了 了1 她 去 北京。