How to express ongoing duration with double 了 (le)
Verb + 了 (le) + Duration + 了 (le)
Expressing ongoing duration with double "了 (le)"
Verb + 了 (le) + Duration + 了 (le)
HSK 3Verb phrasesExpressing ongoing duration with double "了 (le)"
Rule structure
The structure verb + 了 (le) + duration + 了 (le) indicates an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. The final 了 (le) shows the situation is still relevant now.
Rule structure
The structure verb + 了 (le) + duration + 了 (le) indicates an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. The final 了 (le) shows the situation is still relevant now.
Examples
他等了一个小时了。
Tā děng le yī gè xiǎoshí le.
He has been waiting for an hour.
Examples
他等了一个小时了。
Tā děng le yī gè xiǎoshí le.
He has been waiting for an hour.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Expressing ongoing duration with double "了 (le)"” in Chinese?
Use the structure: Verb + 了 (le) + Duration + 了 (le). For example: 他等了一个小时了。 — “He has been waiting for an hour.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他等了一个小时了。 — “He has been waiting for an hour.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.
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Ongoing duration with double "了 (le)"
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