One of the most confusing aspects of Chinese grammar for IGCSE students is understanding when to use 了 (le), 过 (guo), and 着 (zhe). These three particles are called aspect markers because they show how an action relates to time—not when it happened, but how it happened.
In this complete guide, you'll learn the exact differences between these three particles, when to use each one, and how to avoid common mistakes in your IGCSE Chinese exam.
What Are Aspect Markers?
Aspect markers don't tell you when something happened (that's tense). They tell you how the action relates to the situation—whether it's completed, experienced, or ongoing.
Think of it this way:
- 了 (le)= Action is completed or there's a change of state
- 过 (guo)= You have experienced this action before
- 着 (zhe)= Action is ongoing or in a continuous state
了 (le): Completed Action or Change of State
When to Use 了 (le)
Use 了 when:
- An action is completed
- There's a change of state (something became different)
- You want to emphasize that something has happened
Examples
我吃了早饭。
Wǒ chī le zǎofàn.
I ate breakfast. (completed action)
天气冷了。
Tiānqì lěng le.
The weather has become cold. (change of state)
我学了三年中文了。
Wǒ xué le sān nián Zhōngwén le.
I have studied Chinese for three years. (duration completed)
Common IGCSE Mistake
Wrong: 我吃早饭。(sounds incomplete)
Right: 我吃了早饭。(completed action)
Don't forget 了 when talking about completed actions!
过 (guo): Past Experience
When to Use 过 (guo)
Use 过 when:
- You have experienced something before
- You're talking about "have you ever..." situations
- The action happened in the past but doesn't affect the present
Examples
我去过中国。
Wǒ qù guo Zhōngguó.
I have been to China. (past experience)
你吃过北京烤鸭吗?
Nǐ chī guo Běijīng kǎoyā ma?
Have you ever eaten Peking duck?
我学过法语。
Wǒ xué guo Fǎyǔ.
I have studied French before. (but maybe not now)
了 vs 过: What's the Difference?
我去了中国。 = I went to China. (recently completed, still relevant)
我去过中国。 = I have been to China. (past experience, not necessarily recent)
着 (zhe): Ongoing State or Continuous Action
When to Use 着 (zhe)
Use 着 when:
- An action is ongoing or in progress
- Something is in a continuous state
- You want to describe how an action is being done
Examples
门开着。
Mén kāi zhe.
The door is open. (continuous state)
他穿着红色的衣服。
Tā chuān zhe hóngsè de yīfu.
He is wearing red clothes. (ongoing state)
她笑着说。
Tā xiào zhe shuō.
She said with a smile. (manner of action)
Quick Comparison Table
| Particle | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 了 (le) | Completed / Change | 我吃了 | I ate |
| 过 (guo) | Experience | 我吃过 | I have eaten (before) |
| 着 (zhe) | Ongoing / State | 门开着 | The door is open |
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct particle (了, 过, or 着) for each sentence:
1. 我昨天买___一本书。
Answer: 了 (completed action yesterday)
2. 你去___北京吗?
Answer: 过 (have you ever been to Beijing?)
3. 他坐___看电视。
Answer: 着 (sitting while watching TV - ongoing state)
4. 我学___两年中文___。
Answer: 了...了 (I have studied Chinese for two years)
5. 灯开___。
Answer: 着 (the light is on - continuous state)
IGCSE Exam Tips
Writing Tips
- • Use 了 for completed actions in narratives
- • Use 过 when describing experiences
- • Use 着 to add detail to descriptions
Speaking Tips
- • Don't overuse 了 - only when needed
- • 过 shows you have life experience
- • 着 makes your speech more natural
Reading Tips
- • 了 = action finished or changed
- • 过 = past experience mentioned
- • 着 = ongoing state described
Listening Tips
- • Listen for 了 to know action is done
- • 过 indicates past experience
- • 着 shows current state or manner
Final Thoughts
Mastering 了, 过, and 着 takes practice, but once you understand the core concepts, they become much easier to use naturally. Remember:
- 了= Done or changed
- 过= Experienced before
- 着= Ongoing or continuous
Keep practicing with real examples, and you'll start using these particles naturally in your IGCSE Chinese exam!
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