了(le)
Completion / Change of State
Structure Pattern
Video Lesson
Explanation
了 (le) is one of the trickiest particles in Chinese. It has two main uses: (1) after a verb to indicate a completed action, and (2) at the end of a sentence to indicate a change of state or new situation. Mastering 了 takes time — it doesn't simply mean "past tense".
Example Sentences
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Wǒ mǎi le yì běn shū.
I bought a book.
Tā chī le sān wǎn fàn.
He ate three bowls of rice.
Xià yǔ le.
It started raining. (change of state)
Wǒ è le.
I'm hungry (now). (change of state)
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
我昨天了看电影。
Correct Usage
我昨天看了电影。
了 goes after the verb, not after the time word.
Related Grammar Points
Have Experienced (Aspect Marker)
guo
过 (guo, neutral tone) is the experiential aspect marker — it indicates that the subject has done something at least once at some unspecified point in the past. It's about LIFE experience, not about a specific completed action (which uses 了). HSK 3.0 introduces 过 in Band 2 because it's essential for talking about travel and food experiences.
Continuous State (Attached To)
zhe
着 (zhe) after a verb indicates a continuing state resulting from an action. Unlike 在 (progressive action happening now), 着 describes the maintained state AFTER an action. "The door is open" (ongoing state) vs. "I am opening the door" (action in progress).
Master 了
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