Definition
了 (le) is a particle with two main uses: after a verb it marks a completed action (e.g., 吃了 'ate'), and at the end of a sentence it indicates a change of state or new situation (e.g., 他来了 'He has come / is here now'). It is a core grammar word with no direct English equivalent.
particle
(particle, after a verb) indicates a completed action(particle, at end of sentence) indicates a change of state or new situation
Examples
- 了。Wǒ chī le fàn.I ate (my meal).
- 了。Tā lái le.He has come / He is here now.
- 了。Shuǐ hǎo le.The water is ready (has become ready).
Grammar
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