What does 了 mean in Chinese?

了 (le) means "(modal particle intensifying preceding clause); (completed action marker)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 了?

了 is pronounced "le" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 5.

What HSK level is 了?

了 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 了?

Common words with 了 include 了不起 (amazing), 不得了 (desperately serious), 不了了之 (to settle a matter by leaving it unsettled), 不了 (unable to), 了了 (to realize clearly).

How do you write 了?

了 has 2 strokes. Its radical is 乙. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

了 (le), (modal particle intensifying preceding clause)

了

(modal particle intensifying preceding clause); (completed action marker)

HSK 12 strokes

Character Breakdown

A hook marks the end — it is done

Radical: 乙 (no. 5)Strokes: 2

View stroke order →

Definitions

(modal particle intensifying preceding clause)
(completed action marker)

Example Sentences

我吃了饭。

Wǒ chī le fàn

I ate

Words Containing 了

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
了不起	liǎo bu qǐ	amazing	HSK 5
不得了	bù dé liǎo	desperately serious	HSK 5
不了了之	bù liǎo liǎo zhī	to settle a matter by leaving it unsettled	HSK 7-9
不了	bù liǎo	unable to

→

吧(bā)· bar (loanword) (serving drinks, or providing Internet access etc)

→

咧(liě)· to draw back the corners of one's mouth

→

哩(lǐ)· mile (unit of length equal to 1,609.344 m)

→

Grammar Notes

Negation with 没 / 没有HSK 1

Subject + 没(有) + Verb / Object

Ability with 会HSK 1

Subject + 会 + Verb + Object

Completed Action with 了HSK 1

Subject + Verb + 了 + Object

Number + Measure Word + NounHSK 1

Number + Measure Word + Noun

Because/So (因为...所以)HSK 2

因为 + Reason, 所以 + Result

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

了: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 了 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

了