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了 (completion)

HSK 1
  • Aspect

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

SubjectVerb了(Object)

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

Particle 了 placed after a verb to signal that an action has been completed.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

了 is a perfective aspect particle — used to indicate that an action has been completed. Placed immediately AFTER the verb.

Note: 了 is not a past tense marker. The sentence "昨天我去公园" (yesterday I went to the park) is also correct without 了 — because "yesterday" already makes the past tense clear on its own. 了 emphasizes completion, not time.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 我吃了早饭。
    繁: 我吃了早飯。Wǒ chī le zǎofàn.

    I have eaten breakfast.

  2. 他买了一本书。
    繁: 他買了一本書。Tā mǎi le yì běn shū.

    He bought a book.

  3. 妈妈做了饭。
    繁: 媽媽做了飯。Māma zuò le fàn.

    Mother has prepared the meal.

  4. 我喝了两杯咖啡。
    繁: 我喝了兩杯咖啡。Wǒ hē le liǎng bēi kāfēi.

    I drank two cups of coffee.

  5. 老师走了。
    繁: 老師走了。Lǎoshī zǒu le.

    The teacher left.