Understanding the Difference Between Past and Present with 了 (le)

1. What is 了?

   • The word 了 (le) shows that something has happened.
   • For example, 我吃了 (Wǒ chī le) means “I have eaten” (this is in the past).

2. Talking About the Present:

   • If you don't use 了, the action might still be happening or it happens often.
   • For example, 我吃 (Wǒ chī) means “I eat” or “I am eating” (this is in the present).

3. Asking Questions:

   • If you want to ask about something that happened before, add 吗 (ma) at the end.
   • For example, 你吃了吗？(Nǐ chī le ma?) means “Have you eaten?”

4. Describing Quickly:

   • You can add descriptions after the action.
   • For example, 他喝水很快 (Tā hē shuǐ hěn kuài) means “He drinks water quickly.”

5. Saying No with 没:

   • Use 没 (méi) when you want to say something didn’t happen in the past.
   • For example, 我没吃 (Wǒ méi chī) means “I didn’t eat.”

6. Showing Possession:

   • To show something belongs to you, you can say: 这是我的书 (Zhè shì wǒ de shū) which means “This is my book.”

7. Counting Things:

   • Use special words to count how many things there are.
   • For example, 一杯水 (Yī bēi shuǐ) means “a cup of water.”

8. Polite Requests:

   • If you want to ask for something in a kind way, say: 请给我水 (Qǐng gěi wǒ shuǐ) which means “Please give me water.”

9. Linking Words:

   • Use 和 (hé) to connect two items or people.
   • For example, 我和你 (Wǒ hé nǐ) means “You and I.”

Try practicing these sentences to get better at understanding and using Mandarin!