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, 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" 太 + Adj + 了  ! 了2

Elementary (A2) Uses of 了

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples 了 Type
Expressing Completion with "le" V + 了 她 去 北京。 了1
Questions with "le ma" V + 了 + 吗? 北京 去 了 吗 了1
Expressing Duration Verb + 了 + [Duration] 他 在 北京 住 了 两 年 了2
Expressing Duration of Inaction [Duration] + 没 + [Verb Phrase] ) (+ 了) 他 已经 三 天 没 洗澡 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 N1 + 比 + N2 + Adj + 多了 你 高 多 了 了2
Expressing Change of State with "le" ……了 今天 我 25 岁 。你的 衣服 脏 了2

Upper Intermediate (B2) Uses of 了

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples 了 Type
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


http://www.lingref.com/cpp/tls/2004/paper1510.pdf


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