simply stating how the particle can be used is easy enough, but the use of 了 is anything but simple. complications arise when deciding where 了 should be placed and when it can and cannot be used. take someone who grew up learning a romance language for example, this person would have difficulty imagining that 不了 could be used as a polite and informal way of rejecting an invitation or offer. it would more than likely translate as an emphatic and quite rude no or just make no sense.
Chinese grammar appears easy at first, but the more that you study it, the more confusing it gets. try figuring out how a comma should be properly used and you'll see what i mean.
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May 23, 2010 at 11:02 AMsimply stating how the particle can be used is easy enough, but the use of 了 is anything but simple. complications arise when deciding where 了 should be placed and when it can and cannot be used. take someone who grew up learning a romance language for example, this person would have difficulty imagining that 不了 could be used as a polite and informal way of rejecting an invitation or offer. it would more than likely translate as an emphatic and quite rude no or just make no sense.
Chinese grammar appears easy at first, but the more that you study it, the more confusing it gets. try figuring out how a comma should be properly used and you'll see what i mean.