How to use 了 is a complicated question. You can find a list of grammar points and different uses associated with it. At this stage, I think it is better to grasp three main functions of it first:
- 我明白了。I see. (I did not understand it but now I do, which shows the change of state of the action.)
- 下雪了。 It is snowing. (It wasn't snowy. Maybe it was sunny or cloudy, but now it's snowy.)
- 她笑了。 She is laughing. (She didn't laugh. Maybe she was quiet or crying, but now she's laughing.)
2)Aspectual particle "le": to show completion of the action, which usually immediately follows verbs. For example:
- 你吃了吗？Have you eaten yet?
- 明天吃了晚饭，我和你去超市。Tomorrow, after I have had dinner, I will go to the supermarket with you.
3) to express the duration of an ongoing activity, which follows the pattern: Subject + (Verb + Object) + Verb + 了 + Duration + 了). For example:
- 我学汉语学了两个学期了。I have been learning Chinese for two semesters. (I started to learn Chinese two semesters ago, and I am still learning it. The action of learning is continuing.)
- 她看电视看了半个多小时了。She has been watching TV for more than half an hour. (She started to watch TV more than half an hour ago and she is still watching it. The activity, watching TV, is ongoing.)
- 他睡了快一天了。He has been asleep for almost one day. (He fell asleep almost one day ago, and he is still sleeping. The action is lasting.)
Please translate the following sentences and analyze why 了s are being used in these contexts:
1) 老师：“大家都到了，我们开始上课。”
2）我们学了三课了。
3）我看过这本书了。
4）他吃了三个小时了。
5）哎呀，我的电脑坏了。
6）大家都走了，可以关门了。
7）王家明把电脑修好了。
8）明天下了课，我和大卫去打篮球。
Please tell the differences between these two sentences:
1) 杰克在布法罗住了十年。
2）杰克在布法罗住了十年了。
Please feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email at chinesematters.wen@gmail.com if you have any questions about Chinese grammar. Thank you!
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