01 / READExamples
Highlighted words show the grammar pattern. Reveal the English translation when needed.
我订了两张电影票。
I booked two cinema tickets.
The number gives the booking event a clear amount.
她喝了一碗热汤。
She drank a bowl of hot soup.
了 follows 喝 and presents the drinking as a completed event.
我们昨天给老师发了邮件。
We sent the teacher an email yesterday.
昨天 locates the event in time; 了 describes how the event is presented.
02 / UNDERSTANDHow it works
Sentence pattern
When 了 follows a verb, it can present the action as a completed or bounded event. A useful starting point is an action with a clear result or amount: buying two tickets, drinking a bowl of soup, or sending a message. The focus is on the event having taken place, not simply on the time being past.
Chinese does not require 了 on every sentence about yesterday. A past habit, background description, or ongoing situation may use another structure. Nor is 了 limited to past time: a future sequence can describe what happens after an action is completed. Read the time expression and the surrounding sentence together.
For the basic negative of a completed event, use 没 or 没有 before the verb and normally leave out this verb-following 了. Sentence-final 了 can mark a change of situation and may appear in some negative sentences. That is a separate use, so do not apply a rule about one position to every 了 you see.
COMMON MISTAKESWhat to watch for
Avoid我昨天没买了车票。
Use我昨天没买车票。
For the intended meaning “I did not buy a ticket yesterday,” use 没买 without verb-following 了. The sentence denies that the buying event happened.
03 / PRACTISECheck your understanding
04 / VOCABULARYLesson vocabulary
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning here |
|---|---|---|
| 订 | dìng | book; reserve |
| 邮件 | yóujiàn | email; mail |
| 杂志 | zázhì | magazine |
Choose a Chinese word for dictionary definitions, examples and stroke order. The meanings above are specific to this lesson.
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Written for this website. Levels indicate difficulty, not official HSK placement. The app covers this topic with different wording and exercises.
