了
le
Particle (completed action or change of state)
了 (le) — alternation of actions
X了 (le) Y，Y了 (le) X
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
Action了Action，Action了Action
Rule structure
X了 (le)Y，Y了 (le)X describes two actions that repeat in a cycle: first X, then Y, then X again. It is colloquial and often suggests monotonous alternation. X and Y are verbs or verb phrases.
Rule structure
X了 (le)Y，Y了 (le)X describes two actions that repeat in a cycle: first X, then Y, then X again. It is colloquial and often suggests monotonous alternation. X and Y are verbs or verb phrases.
Examples
他吃了睡，睡了吃。
Tā chī le shuì, shuì le chī.
He just eats and sleeps, eats then sleeps, sleeps then eats.
Examples
他吃了睡，睡了吃。
Tā chī le shuì, shuì le chī.
He just eats and sleeps, eats then sleeps, sleeps then eats.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “alternation of actions” in Chinese with 了?
Use the structure: X了 (le) Y，Y了 (le) X. For example: 他吃了睡，睡了吃。 — “He just eats and sleeps, eats then sleeps, sleeps then eats”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他吃了睡，睡了吃。 — “He just eats and sleeps, eats then sleeps, sleeps then eats”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
动不动 就 — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
个 — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B