了 with Number-Measure Phrases: Learn how to use 了 with quantity and duration expressions in Chinese
1 Introduction: 了 with Quantities
In Part One, we learned how to use 了 to indicate the completion of an action. In this lesson, we will see another situation: when the verb is followed by a number-measure phrase (indicating quantity or duration), 了 is added to the verb, and the number-measure phrase comes after 了.
Two Patterns with Number-Measure Phrases
What Are Number-Measure Phrases?
Number-Measure phrases in Chinese consist of a number plus a measure word (also called classifier). They indicate quantity or duration:
2 Single 了 Pattern: Completed Actions with Quantity
When the verb has a number-measure phrase preceding it (indicating quantity or duration), 了 is added to the verb, and the number-measure phrase comes after 了. This pattern indicates a completed action with a specific quantity or duration.
Examples: Single 了 Pattern
Duration Visualization
Complete Sentence: 我走了四十分钟。
(I walked for forty minutes.)
Completed Action in Past
This pattern describes actions that were completed in the past with specific duration:
- 我昨天睡了八小时。 – I slept for 8 hours yesterday.
- 她今天工作了三小时。 – She worked for 3 hours today.
- 他们上周旅行了五天。 – They traveled for 5 days last week.
Duration vs Quantity
The N-M phrase can indicate either duration or quantity:
Key: Same structure works for both time and quantity.
3 Double 了 Pattern: Actions Up to Now
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Practice Exercises
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