What does 了 (le) mean in English?

了 (le) means “particle indicating the completion of an action or change; particle indicating a change of state or a new situation; particle used for urging or telling someone to stop; to be able to; potential complement; to finish; to end” in English.

CHINESE DICTIONARYWORD

了

leHSK 1

了 (le) is an HSK 1 Chinese word with 6 definitions and 10 bilingual examples.

PARTS OF SPEECH4

DEFINITIONS6

EXAMPLES10

Definitions & Usage

Meanings and examples

particle 助

Englishparticle indicating the completion of an action or change
- EX
  我吃了两个包子。
  I ate two steamed buns.
- EX
  他买了一本书。
  He bought a book.
Englishparticle indicating a change of state or a new situation
- EX
  下雨了。
  It's raining.
- EX
  天黑了。
  It's getting dark.
Englishparticle used for urging or telling someone to stop
- EX
  我们该走了。
  It's time for us to go.
- EX
  别说了。
  Stop talking.

verb 动

Englishto be able to; potential complement
- EX
  这么多饭，我吃不了。
  I can't eat this much food.
- EX
  这个箱子太重，我拿不了。
  This box is too heavy for me to carry.

verb 动

Englishto finish; to end
- EX
  她还有一桩心愿未了。
  She still has an unfulsted wish.
- EX
  案子还没了的时候，他每天都睡不着。
  He couldn't sleep every day before the case was finished.