How to say “I’ve already done it” in Chinese with 了 (le)
Subj. + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
了 (le) — already done
Subj. + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
HSK 2Particles了 (le) — already done
Rule structure
The particle 了 (le) at the end of a sentence can indicate a change of state or that a new situation has already come into being. This often translates to "already" in English, especially with time-related phrases.
Rule structure
The particle 了 (le) at the end of a sentence can indicate a change of state or that a new situation has already come into being. This often translates to "already" in English, especially with time-related phrases.
Examples
我吃了。
Wǒ chī le.
I've already eaten.
Examples
我吃了。
Wǒ chī le.
I've already eaten.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “already done” in Chinese with 了?
Use the structure: Subj. + Verb Phrase + 了 (le). For example: 我吃了。 — “I've already eaten.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我吃了。 — “I've already eaten.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 2.
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More HSK 2 grammar rules
着 — ongoing state
Verb + 着 (zhe)
过 — completed action in the past
Verb + 过 (guo) + 了 (le)
吧 — conceding with “ba”
⋯⋯吧 (ba)
呢 — question particle
⋯⋯呢 (ne)?
过 — experience marker
Verb + 过 (guo)
最 — superlative “most”
最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))
到 — direction with “to go to”
到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)
虽然 — although… but…
虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯