了
le
Particle (completed action or change of state)
How to express a completed action with 了 (le) after the verb
Subj. + Verb + 了 (le) + Obj.
了 (le) — completed action after the verb
HSK 1Particles
Subj. + Verb + 了 (le) + Obj.
HSK 1Particles了 (le) — completed action after the verb
Rule structure
The particle "了 (le)", placed immediately after a verb, indicates the completion of that action. This particle focuses on the fact of completion, not necessarily the past tense.
Rule structure
The particle "了 (le)", placed immediately after a verb, indicates the completion of that action. This particle focuses on the fact of completion, not necessarily the past tense.
Examples
我吃了饭。
Wǒ chī le fàn.
I have eaten.
他去了学校。
Tā qù le xuéxiào.
He has gone to school.
我喝了水。
Wǒ hē le shuǐ.
I drank water.
Examples
我吃了饭。
Wǒ chī le fàn.
I have eaten.
他去了学校。
Tā qù le xuéxiào.
He has gone to school.
我喝了水。
Wǒ hē le shuǐ.
I drank water.
Practice
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Characters
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “completed action after the verb” in Chinese with 了?
Use the structure: Subj. + Verb + 了 (le) + Obj.. For example: 我吃了饭。 — “I have eaten”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我吃了饭。 — “I have eaten”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 1.
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More HSK 1 grammar rules
了 — change of state
Change of State + 了 (le)
的 — close relationship possession
Pronoun + Close Person
啊 — sentence-final interjection
⋯啊 (a)
不 — not anymore
不 (bù) + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
呢 — “and …?” questions
Topic + 呢 (ne)?
吧 — softening speech
⋯⋯吧 (ba)
吧 — suggestions with “let's”
Command + 吧 (ba)
的 — possessive “my, your, his”
Noun 1 + 的 (de) + Noun 2