了 (le, liǎo): Translation, Pronunciation and Example Sentences

The Chinese word 了 is a versatile particle that can be used in a variety of ways. It is often used to indicate a change of state or completion of an action. For example, when used after a verb, it can indicate that the action has been completed or that the state has changed. It can also be used to soften a statement or to indicate a change in tone or mood. Additionally, it can be used to indicate a past action or to indicate a future action that is certain to occur. Overall, the word 了 is an important and commonly used particle in Chinese that has many different uses and applications.

Translation

le
Particle: indicating past or change

liǎo
Verb: to end, to finish, to settle

Pronunciation

le

liǎo

Example Sentences

ChinesePinyinEngish
我吃了早饭wǒ chī le zǎofànI ate breakfast
他看了电影tā kàn le diànyǐngHe watched a movie
她买了新衣服tā mǎi le xīn yīfúShe bought new clothes
我们已经交了报告wǒmen yǐjīng jiāo le bàogàoWe have already submitted the report
他们去了海边度假tāmen qù le hǎibiān dùjiàThey went on vacation to the beach
我们等了很久wǒmen děng le hěn jiǔWe waited for a long time
她学了中文两年tā xué le zhōngwén liǎng niánShe has been studying Chinese for two years
他们喝了很多啤酒tāmen hē le hěn duō píjiǔThey drank a lot of beer

HSK

了 is part of HSK Level 1 in HSK 2.0. In the newer HSK 3.0 it is part of HSK Level 1 and HSK Level 3.

Learning Card

Learning card for Chinese word 了 with Pinyin and English Translation