完 (wán) — to finish; to be over, to end
Definition
完 (wán) is a short verb meaning 'to finish / to be over' — use it alone or after another verb (e.g. 吃完了). For completing a task or goal, 完成 is more common; 结束 sounds more like 'to end' a meeting or event.
verb
to finishto be overto end
Examples
- 。Zuò yè zuò wán le.The homework is finished.
- 。Diàn yǐng hái méi wán.The movie isn't over yet.
- ？Nǐ chī wán le ma?Have you finished eating?
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
元
元yuán完wán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
完 pairs 宀 (roof) with 元, which gives the sound.
Grammar
Appears in
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