ParticlesHSK 5
Advanced 了 with complements
When a verb takes a result complement (like 到, 完, 光), 了 follows the complement to indicate that the action was completed with that result. This structure is common in everyday speech to confirm the outcome of an action.
With directional complements (e.g. 起来, 上去, 过来), you can insert 了 between the verb and the complement to emphasize that the action was completed in that direction. This placement highlights the completion, not just the direction.
Structure
Verb + Result Complement + 了 (+ Obj.)
The result complement is mandatory; 了 directly follows it.
Verb + 了 + Directional Complement (来/去)
Insert 了 between the verb and the directional complement to mark completed action.
Examples
- 买到了。Mǎi dào le .Purchased/bought.
- 吃完了。Chī wán le .Finished eating.
- 周杰伦演唱会的门票卖光了。Zhōu Jiélún yǎnchànghuì de ménpiào mài guāng le .Jay Chou's concert tickets are sold out.
- 站了起来Zhàn le qǐlái .stood up
- 跑了过来Pǎo le guòlái .ran over here