Learn a Chinese Character - 了

1. Character Basics

Radical: 乙 (yǐ, second of the Ten Heavenly Stems)

Stroke Count: 2

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: le (neutral tone) / liǎo (third tone)

3. Meaning

As a particle (le): Indicates completion, change of state, or new situation

As a verb (liǎo): To finish; to complete; to understand; to settle; to end

4. Common Words

• 了解 (liǎojiě) - to understand; to comprehend
• 完成了 (wánchéngle) - completed
• 好了 (hǎole) - OK; all right
• 了不起 (liǎobuqǐ) - amazing; wonderful; extraordinary
• 了如指掌 (liǎorúzhǐzhǎng) - to know like the palm of one's hand
• 了断 (liǎoduàn) - to settle; to end
• 了无痕迹 (liǎowúhénjì) - without a trace
• 一目了然 (yīmùliǎorán) - clear at a glance

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 了 has two main uses in Chinese:

1. As a modal particle (le):

- Indicates completion of an action: Placed after a verb to show that an action has been completed.

Example: 我吃了饭。(Wǒ chīle fàn.) - I ate the meal.

- Indicates a change of state: Placed at the end of a sentence to show a change in situation.

Example: 天气变热了。(Tiānqì biàn rè le.) - The weather has become hot.

- Indicates a new situation or realization: Used to express that something has happened or been realized.

Example: 我明白了。(Wǒ míngbai le.) - I understand now.

2. As a verb (liǎo):

- Means "to finish" or "to complete"

Example: 我已经了结了这个问题。(Wǒ yǐjīng liǎojiéle zhège wèntí.) - I have already resolved this issue.

- Used in idioms and formal expressions

Example: 了无牵挂 (liǎowúqiānguà) - without worries or concerns

6. Cultural Background

The character 了 is one of the most common and versatile characters in Chinese, with a rich cultural significance:

1. Simplicity and Complexity: Despite being one of the simplest characters with only 2 strokes, 了 has complex grammatical functions that can be challenging for language learners.

2. Grammatical Significance: Its use as a particle is a distinctive feature of Chinese grammar, setting it apart from many other languages.

3. Cultural Expressions: 了 appears in many idioms and proverbs, reflecting Chinese cultural values and ways of thinking.

4. Historical Development: The character has evolved over time but has maintained its basic shape and core meanings for thousands of years.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

To remember the character 了 and its uses:

1. Stroke Order: The character has only two strokes: a horizontal hook followed by a rising diagonal stroke.

2. Association for the Particle (le): Think of 了 as a "completion hook" that attaches to the end of actions to show they're finished.

3. Association for the Verb (liǎo): For its verb meaning, associate it with the idea of "tying up loose ends" or "finishing something completely."

4. Practice in Context: Since 了 is so common, try to notice how native speakers use it in conversations and writing to better understand its subtle nuances.