01 / READExamples
Highlighted words show the grammar pattern. Reveal the English translation when needed.
我看完这本小说了。
I have finished reading this novel.
完 states that the reading reached the end of the novel.
她还没写完邮件。
She has not finished writing the email yet.
还没 negates the completed result; no final 了 is needed.
我们吃完饭再出门。
We will go out after we finish eating.
完 can describe a future endpoint, not only a past one.
02 / UNDERSTANDHow it works
Sentence pattern
Put 完 directly after a verb to say the activity reaches its endpoint. 看完一本书 means to finish reading a book, while 看一本书 only names the activity of reading it. This is called a result complement because it adds the result achieved by the action. Keep the verb and 完 together before the object.
完 itself does not mark past time. You can say you have finished, have not finished yet, or plan to finish later. 了 often appears in a completed report, while 还没 followed by verb + 完 means “have not finished yet.” In 我还没写完邮件, the unfinished result is the point; do not add 了 simply because you have already started writing.
Choose an activity with a clear endpoint: finish a message, drink a bottle of water, or complete a task. The object and context tell the listener what “finished” means. Drinking some water is different from finishing it, which is what 喝完了 describes.
COMMON MISTAKESWhat to watch for
Avoid我写邮件完了。
Use我写完邮件了。
The result complement attaches directly to 写. The object 邮件 comes after 写完.
03 / PRACTISECheck your understanding
04 / VOCABULARYLesson vocabulary
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning here |
|---|---|---|
| 小说 | xiǎoshuō | novel |
| 邮件 | yóujiàn | |
| 完成 | wánchéng | to complete |
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.
