HSK 1 grammar · new HSK syllabus
了 at the end: a new situation
了 at the end of a sentence shows a change: 下雨了 = it’s started raining.
Structure
- Sentence + 了
How it works
了 at the end of a sentence says that something is new or has changed: 下雨了 it’s raining now (it wasn’t before), 我饿了 I’m hungry now.
With 不 it shows a change of plan: 我不去了 = I’m not going any more.
It is also used with 太…了 for “so…!” and with ages and times: 我女儿八岁了.
Examples
-
下雨了。
Xiàyǔ le.
It’s started to rain.
-
我女儿八岁了。
Wǒ nǚ’ér bā suì le.
My daughter is eight now.
-
现在十点了，我们走吧。
Xiànzài shí diǎn le, wǒmen zǒu ba.
It’s ten o’clock now. Let’s go.
-
我不去了，我有点儿累。
Wǒ bú qù le, wǒ yǒudiǎnr lèi.
I’m not going after all. I’m a bit tired.
-
天热了。
Tiān rè le.
It’s got hot.
Words in these examples (18)
| 下雨 | xiàyǔ | to rain | HSK 1 |
| 了 | le | (particle marking a completed action or a change) | HSK 1 |
| 我 | wǒ | I; me | HSK 1 |
| 女儿 | nǚ’ér | daughter | HSK 1 |
| 八 | bā | eight | HSK 1 |
| 岁 | suì | years (of age) | HSK 1 |
| 现在 | xiànzài | now | HSK 1 |
| 十 | shí | ten | HSK 1 |
| 点 | diǎn | o'clock; (measure word) a little | HSK 1 |
| 我们 | wǒmen | we; us | HSK 1 |
| 走 | zǒu | to walk; to leave | HSK 2 |
| 吧 | ba | (particle for suggestions: "let's…", "…, OK?") | HSK 1 |
| 不 | bù | not; no | HSK 1 |
| 去 | qù | to go | HSK 1 |
| 有点儿 | yǒudiǎnr | a little; somewhat | HSK 1 |
| 累 | lèi | tired | HSK 2 |
| 天 | tiān | day; sky | HSK 1 |
| 热 | rè | hot | HSK 1 |
Common mistakes
-
✗我是学生了。
✓我现在是大学生了。
A sentence-final 了 needs a real change. Saying what changed makes it natural.
-
✗我不去。（meaning a change of plan）
✓我不去了。
Without 了 it sounds like a plain refusal, not a change.
Check yourself
Choose the word that fills the gap.
1. 外面下雪 ！
2. 他今年二十岁 。
3. 太晚了，我不看电视 。