The character 了 — “particle: completion”: how to write it and what it means
particle: completion, change
The Chinese character 了 is read le and means “particle: completion, change”. Below: the stroke order step by step, what the character is made of and the words it appears in.
Stroke order: how to write 了
了 has 2 strokes. At each step the new stroke is highlighted — write them in the same order: top to bottom and left to right, horizontal before vertical, a frame before what is inside it, and the bottom stroke of the frame last.
To train your hand, print a handwriting sheet for 了, with strokes to trace and empty squares.
Words with 了
- 除了except, besidesHSK 3
- 为了for the sake of; in order toHSK 3
- 了解know, understand (in depth)HSK 3
- 受不了can't standHSK 4
- 不得了terribly, extremely (after 得)HSK 5
- 了不起amazing, remarkableHSK 5
- 算了forget it, never mindHSK 6
- 得了enough, that's it (stop)HSK 6
Frequently asked questions
How do you write the character 了?
了 has 2 strokes. They follow the usual rules: top to bottom, left to right, horizontal before vertical, outside before inside. The order of each stroke is shown on this page.
What does 了 mean?
了 means “particle: completion, change”. It appears in 除了 (“except”), 为了 (“for the sake of”), 了解 (“know”), 受不了 (“can't stand”).
How do you pronounce 了?
了 is read le. The tone is part of the reading: with another melody it becomes another syllable.
How many strokes does 了 have?
2 strokes.
More characters on the page “Chinese characters with meanings” and in the list of HSK characters by level; whole words are in the dictionary.
Write 了 yourself
In the lessons you write characters stroke by stroke with a finger or a mouse, and the course checks the order. You can start for free, no sign-up needed.
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