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Chinese Grammar: Part 2 - Much to do about 了
Remember what we first learned about 了 and what it means when placed right after the verb? Correct, it indicates completed actions - see lesson. It’s now time to tackle what 了 means when it’s placed elsewhere in the sentence, and particularly at the end of the sentence. Ready?
了, the change of state signaler
了 is also used to show that a situation has changed. It is then placed at the end of the sentence.
Structure
S + V (+O)+了
When 了 is placed at the end of a sentence, it indicates that the current state of someone or something is different or has changed now from what it used to be. 了, in this case, implies a comparison with how it was before since it’s there to highlight a change in the situation.
It also can emphasize somebody/something has a new situation, in which case, you could think of the structure as new situation +了.
Let’s look at some examples so you can get a better idea of how this 了 works.
Examples
他 现在 不 抽烟了。
He doesn’t smoke anymore.他 已经 是 大学生了。
He is a college student now.
See how this 了 is always placed at the end of the sentence?
Change of state 了 likes stative verbs and adjectives
We saw together that the 了 that indicates completed actions couldn’t be used with verbs that describe states or are adjectives. Our Change of State 了 doesn’t have such restrictions. Therefore, if you see 了 following such a verb of state or an adjective, then you can be sure it’s there to indicate a change of state!
Examples with adjectives
Examples with verbs describing a state
我 爱 你了.
I now love you (I grew to love you). 我 知道了。
Ok, I get it.
了 is used to indicate what the situation is like now. You’ll often see it paired with 现在, 已经 or both, to show time has passed. This 了, as it indicates change, is also used a lot to talk about the weather, seasons and time.
- Weather:
- Seasons:
- Time:
Change of State 了 in a negative sentence
Remember how we said in the previous lesson that 了 couldn’t be used in a negative sentence? This is true in most cases: it makes no sense to use 了 to talk about something that wasn’t completed or a situation that hasn’t changed.
Still, you can and will run into sentences that contain 了 with a negative verb or phrase. 了 then takes on a special meaning: “not any more”.
Examples
我 不 想 去了。
I don’t want to go anymore.
We told you 了 had many uses, right? What you just saw was Change of State 了.
了 is also used in some set phrases in Mandarin Chinese; which wouldn’t work without 了’s action. Let’s see what set phrases we’re talking about!
Set phrases with 了
了 is used in different types of set phrases; the main ones indicate imminent action or form “excessive” sentences. Let’s start with imminent action.
Imminent action
When you want to indicate something is about to happen, you can be sure you’ll be using 了, usually paired with 要 and / or 快. Here are the most common set phrases you’ll come across. They all convey a certain sense of urgency.
- 快(要)... 了
This set phrase means “just about to”, “soon”, “almost”. You’ll sometimes see it as 快要....了; it means the same. 快...了 is chiefly used with adjectives. You can add 要 when using this set phrase with verbs.
An example:
- 要(快)...了
This set phrase means something is going to happen. It is mainly used with verbs. You might also run into 要 快... 了 which makes it sound a little more urgent.
An example:
快...了 usually implies something about to happen sooner than 要...了
A difference between 快(要)...了and 就 (要)...了 is that you can use 就 (要)...了with specific times, when you know something will happen very soon at an expected time, whereas you can’t with 快 (要)...了.
For instance, to say I will be graduating next month
You can’t say 下个月 我快 来毕业了 - that's incorrect.
The correct sentence is 下个月 我就要毕业了。
Excessive 了
These set phrases are used to express the fact something is “very, really” something. They are used quite a lot in China and are often called “excessive”.
太/可/极 + 了
When you want to express your “excessive” emotions, you can use this pattern:
start with an adverb such as 太,可,
add the adjective you wish to intensify,
finish off your excessiveness with 了,
and you’re done!
The only exception is 极, which is placed after the adjective, like so: Adjective + [极了]. Adverbs like 太/可/极 are mainly used for “positive” adjectives.
Examples
死 了
死 了 is another structure that uses 了to intensify an adjective. 死 means to die, so you can guess what kind of meaning it adds to the sentence! In English, we say “to death”, as in as you scared me to death. The Chinese say the exact same thing: 吓 死 我 了! You scared me to death. 死 了 can be paired with a lot of adjectives, mainly negative ones, such as being hungry, being hot, being bored, being tired, etc...
One set phrase you might find yourself using a lot is 我 饿死 了! I’m starving (literally, I’m dying of hunger).
Cool, huh? As you see, in these set phrases, it’s simple: the 了 is automatic; so just remember to add it in these types of sentences and you’ll be good to go!
Almost there! We’ve covered most uses of 了 up to now. There’s one last thing we need to see together: what happens when you mix both 了s in a sentence. Yes, it happens: the 了that goes after a verb and the 了 that concludes a sentence can both appear in the same sentence. What for, you wonder? What do they mean?
Mixing both 了
When both 了 are mixed in a sentence, it is usually to bring emphasis to an action that has already taken place. It makes sense if you think about it: the first 了 will be indicating a completed action; and the second 了 at the end of the sentence, highlights the fact it has changed from previously. The double 了 therefore describe what has been completed up to now.
Structure
Examples
她 在 北京 已经 住了三 年了。
She’s already lived three years in Beijing [so far].我们 等了一 个 小时了。
We’ve waited an hour[ so far; up to now].天 啊！我 已经 花了太 多 钱了！
Oh my god! I’ve already spent so much money!
You’ll find that in sentences with double 了, an indication of an amount, whether a precise or a more imprecise amount (so much; too many) is present. 已经 is also often used in such sentences, as it also emphasizes the fact the action already happened.
Sometimes, it’s not entirely clear which 了 you’re facing, as both 了can merge into one in cases when both would end up next to each other, especially in short sentences. For instance: 我 来了 can either be: I have arrived, or I’ve now arrived.
Usually, however, there’ll be other words in the sentence to clue you in, or context to help you figure it all out, so don’t worry!
Summary
OK, let’s sum up the uses of 了you’ve seen so far:
了 can indicate a Completed Action 了 as you saw in the previous lesson when 了 is placed right after the verb.
了 can signal a Change of State. 了 is then placed at the end of the sentence.
了 can help be Extreme: when certain adverbs such as 太, 可, 最 and 了 frame adjectives, they become "excessive".
You’ve seen what two 了 in a sentence mean when one 了 is placed right after the verb and the other 了 is placed at the end of the sentence.
Good! You’ve seen the main uses of 了 in this primer on the usage of 了.
How do you feel about 了? A little dazzled? It may seem like a handful at first, but if you keep in mind these different meanings and uses了 can have, you’ll soon be using it like a pro. So don’t be afraid the next time you see a 了！ Just remember these rules, and you’ll be able to handle all the 了 situations that come up. We’ll help. Let's start by practicing!
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The more Chinese sentences you come across, the more you’ll see how much 了 is everywhere in Chinese. The more you notice that, the more you’ll get used to 了. As you become familiar with this tiny word, you’ll start being able to sense when one is needed or not. Believe in yourself!