HSK 3
V + 了 + DURATION + O + 了
V + le + DURATION + O + le
have been V-ing O for DURATION
Structure
Subject + Verb + 了 + Duration + Object + 了
How it works
This structure is used to express that an action started in the past and is still continuing into the present. The use of the double '了' (one after the verb and one at the end of the sentence) indicates both the completion of a specific duration and the ongoing status of the activity.
Examples
我学了三年英语了。
Wǒ xuéle sān nián Yīngyǔ le.
I have been studying English for three years.
他游了半个小时泳了。
Tā yóule bàn gè xiǎoshí yǒng le.
He has been swimming for half an hour.
妈妈看了两个小时电视了。
Māma kànle liǎng gè xiǎoshí diànshì le.
Mom has been watching TV for two hours.
Common mistakes
Forgetting the second '了' at the end of the sentence changes the meaning to a finished action rather than an ongoing one.
Tip
Think of the first '了' as marking the time elapsed and the second '了' as a signal that the situation is currently ongoing.
More HSK 3 grammar
See V + 了 + DURATION + O + 了 in real Chinese
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