动词 + 了 · 句子 + 了
verb 了: the action is done · sentence 了: something is new or has changed
Structure
动词 + 了 + 数量 + 宾语（完成） · 句子 + 了（变化）
What it means
Chinese has two 了. Right after a verb, 了 says the action is done. At the end of a sentence, 了 says something is new or has changed.
How it is built
Verb + 了 + amount + object: 早上我吃了两片药 (I took two tablets this morning). Sentence + 了: 天阴了 (It’s clouded over).
When to use it
Verb 了 (h1-17) usually has an amount after it. Sentence 了 (h1-5) marks a change: 我好一点儿了. 不……了 means “not any more”, a change of plan.
Watch out
A bare 我吃了药。 sounds unfinished. ✓ 我吃了两片药。 ✓ 我吃药了。
Examples
早上我吃了两片药。
I took two tablets this morning.
你给我打了三个电话？
You rang me three times?
天阴了。
It’s clouded over.
李月病了，今天不去了。
Li Yue is ill, so she isn’t going today after all.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 23: 那我也不去了 (Change of plans)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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