The character 「了」 holds a multitude of meanings and uses
It makes it a versatile and essential part of communication. Let’s explore its various applications:
Mandarin Pinyin: le
Cantonese Jyutping: liu5
- Particle Indicating Completion: 「了」 is often used to indicate the completion of an action. For example:
- “It’s raining now!” (「下雨了！」)
- “Have you eaten?” (「吃了沒有？」)
- “The weather has cleared up!” (「天氣放晴了！」)
- “They have already left.” (「他們已經走了。」)
- “She was made to cry by you!” (「她被你氣哭了！」)
- “The bride is about to come out!” (「新娘子就要出來了！」)
- Understanding and Realization:
- To understand: 「了解」, 「了悟」, 「一目了然」
- To conclude or finish: 「了斷」, 「終了」, 「不了了之」, 「沒完沒了」, 「了卻心願」
- Completely: 「了無生趣」, 「了無新意」
- Used with “得” or “不” to indicate possibility or impossibility: 「辦得了」, 「動了」
- Describing Intelligence and Dexterity:
- Clever and skillful: 「小時了了，大未必佳」 (A clever child may not necessarily become a great adult).
Understanding the diverse uses of 「了」 can greatly enhance your grasp of the Chinese language, making your communication more precise and expressive.
