How to use 过了
Verb + 过 (+ Object) + 了
过 and final 了 can work together when reporting that a relevant action has already been carried out. The 过 follows the verb, while final 了 presents the information as relevant to the current situation. Routine actions often appear in this pattern when responding to reminders or suggestions.
An object may follow 过, with 了 still placed at the end of the clause. The context usually concerns the relevant occasion rather than merely listing something experienced at any point in a lifetime. Do not assume that the two particles cancel each other or mean exactly the same thing. Consider what action has been taken and why reporting it matters now.
Examples with pinyin and English
她吃过了。
She has eaten (already).
牙刷过了。
I've brushed my teeth (already).
洗过了。
I've showered (already).
我们看过了。
We've seen it (already).
What to remember
- Place 过 directly after the verb.
- An object can come before final 了.
- Read the relevant occasion from context.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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