📖 Chinese Grammar: How to Use “了 (le)” Correctly

Among all Chinese grammar points, the particle “了 (le)” is one of the most essential—and most confusing—for learners. The good news? Once you understand its logic, you’ll see that it’s not complicated at all.

This guide explains:
✅ The two main uses of “了”
✅ Sentence structures with examples
✅ Common mistakes to avoid
✅ HSK-style practice exercises with answers

🔑 What Does “了 (le)” Mean?

“了” is a grammatical particle that usually indicates:

1. Completed action → similar to the past tense in English.

2. Change of state → indicating something is different now.

⚠️ Important: “了” does not always mean past tense. It marks completion or change.

📝 Usage 1: Action Completed

Structure: Subject + Verb + 了 + Object

👉 Examples:

• 我吃了饭。
  Wǒ chī le fàn.
  = I ate (already ate a meal).

• 他昨天去北京了。
  Tā zuótiān qù Běijīng le.
  = He went to Beijing yesterday.

📝 Usage 2: Change of State

Structure: Subject + Verb/Adjective + 了

👉 Examples:

• 天黑了。
  Tiān hēi le.
  = It’s dark now. (change of state)

• 她累了。
  Tā lèi le.
  = She is tired now.

• 我有钱了。
  Wǒ yǒu qián le.
  = I have money now. (situation changed)

⚠️ Common Mistakes with “了”

❌ Using “了” for every past event

• 昨天我去了学校了。 (double 了, incorrect ❌)
  ✔️ 昨天我去了学校。 (correct ✔️)

❌ Forgetting “了” when talking about completed actions

• 我吃饭。 (just “I eat”, no sense of completion)
  ✔️ 我吃了饭。 (I ate, action completed)

📚 Example Sentences

1. 我买了一本书。
   Wǒ mǎi le yī běn shū.
   = I bought a book.

2. 他下班了。
   Tā xiàbān le.
   = He finished work.

3. 我们看了一部电影。
   Wǒmen kàn le yī bù diànyǐng.
   = We watched a movie.

✍️ Exercises

🔹 Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank

1. 我昨天 ___ 电影。

2. 他去上海 ___ 。

3. 我们吃 ___ 饭。

4. 天亮 ___ 。

🔹 Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence.

1.
A. 我买书。
B. 我买了书。
C. 我书买了。
2.
A. 他昨天去了北京。
B. 他昨天北京去了了。
C. 他昨天去北京了。

🔹 Exercise 3: Error Correction

Find and correct the mistake.

1. 他昨天去了商店了。

2. 我今天吃饭。 (already completed)

3. 天气冷。 (state has changed)

🔹 Exercise 4: Translation

Translate into Chinese using “了”.

1. I drank a cup of tea.

2. She is tired now.

3. We watched a movie yesterday.

4. It’s raining now.

✅ Answer Key

Exercise 1:

1. 看了

2. 了

3. 了

4. 了

Exercise 2:

1. B

2. A or C

Exercise 3:

1. 他昨天去了商店。

2. 我今天吃了饭。

3. 天气冷了。

Exercise 4:

1. 我喝了一杯茶。

2. 她累了。

3. 我们昨天看了一部电影。

4. 现在下雨了。

🎯 Conclusion

The particle “了 (le)” is everywhere in Mandarin. Remember:

• Use it to show a completed action.

• Use it to express a change of state.

• Avoid double “了” unless necessary.

👉 Pro Tip: Listen to native speakers and notice how often they use “了” in conversations. Practice by turning your daily actions into sentences with “了”.

See more

• Sentence Builders
• The Structure to Emphasize details