了 (le)

(completed action marker); (modal particle indicating change of state,

Etymology

Pictograph of a young child, similar to 子, but without arms. Compare to 孑 (child only with right arm) and 孓 (child only with left arm). The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“了,尦也。从子無臂,象形。”

Original meaning

armless child

Components

Example sentences

  1. 响了。 — It rang.
  2. 死了? — Are you dead?
  3. 算了。 — Forget it.
  4. 疯了! — Crazy!
  5. 疯了! — Wild!

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