HSK 4 了/过 vs 着
completed/experienced vs ongoing state
Comparison / 对比
| 了/过 le/guò | 着 zhe | |
|---|---|---|
| 了 | Completed: 他吃了饭 | Changed state: 下雨了 |
| 过 | Experience: 我去过中国 | Have done before |
| 着 | Ongoing state: 门开着 | Background: 他笑着说 |
| Negative | 没+V: 没吃 | 没+V+过: 没去过 |
Examples / 例句
Fill in the Blank / 填空练习
Type the correct word to complete each sentence. Press Enter or click Check.
Quick Quiz / 小测验
Real HSK 4 Test Questions Using 了/过 or 着 / 真题示例
2 actual HSK 4 questions from our mock exams that test the 了/过 vs 着 distinction:
了/过 vs 着 FAQ
Are 了/过 and 着 interchangeable in HSK 4?
No. Although 了/过 (le/guò) and 着 (zhe) translate similarly into English, HSK 4 fill-in-the-blank and listening questions test exactly the distinction between them. 了 = just happened or changed.
How is 了/过 vs 着 tested in HSK 4?
Most often in HSK 4 阅读 (reading) Part 1 选词填空 (Q46-55), where you choose the correct word for a blank in a sentence. Also appears in 听力 (listening) where the speaker uses one but the printed answer paraphrases with the other. Master both 了/过 and 着 collocations to lock in these points.
What's the quickest way to remember 了/过 vs 着?
了 = just happened or changed. 过 = experienced before. 着 = state continuing NOW. Test: 吃了 (finished eating) vs 吃过 (have eaten before) vs 吃着饭看电视 (eating while watching TV). Practice 3-5 fill-in-blank questions in our HSK 4 mock exams to lock the distinction.