了 le
“(completed action marker); (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now); (modal particle intensifying preceding clause)”
modal particle, particle, verbHSK 1 · 2021 list level 1
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
了 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 108: 了 le — Level 1; official annotation 1 (助). PDF page 82
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 了
了 is a particle placed right after a verb to show that the action is completed. It is not a past-tense marker and does not mean 'finished forever'; it simply marks a completed action, often with a result or quantity. The typical pattern is verb + 了 (+ object), e.g. 我吃了饭.
例句Example sentences
- 我买了一个苹果。wǒ mǎi le yí gè píng guǒ.I bought an apple.
- 他昨天看了一本书。tā zuó tiān kàn le yì běn shū.He read a book yesterday.
- 下雨了，我们回家吧。xià yǔ le, wǒ men huí jiā ba.It's started raining, let's go home.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我买了苹果一个。
✓我买了一个苹果。
The quantity phrase 一个 must come before the noun, not after it.
-
✗我昨天去了学校吗？
✓我昨天去学校了吗？
With a yes/no question, 了 usually goes at the end of the sentence, not right after the verb.
易混词Easily confused
了vs过
了 marks a completed action (often a specific time), while 过 marks having had the experience at some time in the past, e.g. 我去了北京 vs 我去过北京.
深度指南Grammar & comparison guides
义项All meanings
- le: (completed action marker); (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now); (modal particle intensifying preceding clause)
- liǎo: to finish; to achieve; variant of 了; to understand clearly
- liǎo: (of eyes) bright; clear-sighted; to understand clearly
- liào: unofficial variant of 瞭