Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to finish listening' with 听完 (tīngwán)

    Actions & Events
    Sequence & Order

    Structure

    听完 + 了 + Object

    Explanation

    The compound verb 听完 (tīngwán) means 'to finish listening' and is formed by combining 听 (to listen) with the resultative complement 完 (to finish). This pattern of Verb + 完 is productive in Chinese and indicates the completion of an action. Other examples include 看完 (to finish reading/watching) and 吃完 (to finish eating).

    Examples

    • 你把这首歌听完再走吧。

      nǐ bǎ zhè shǒu gē tīng wán zài zǒu ba.

      Finish listening to this song before you go.

    • 我还没听完他的解释，他就挂了电话。

      wǒ hái méi tīng wán tā de jiěshì, tā jiù guà le diànhuà.

      Before I finished hearing his explanation, he hung up the phone.

    • 等我听完这个播客，咱们就出门。

      děng wǒ tīng wán zhège bōkè, zánmen jiù chūmén.

      Once I finish listening to this podcast, we'll head out.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'to finish listening' with 听完 (tīngwán) | Chinese Grammar