时量短语

时量短语 (duration phrases) tell us how long an action lasts — not when it happens.

1. DURATION vs. TIME WORDS 时间词 (time words) tell WHEN: 三点 (at 3 o'clock), 星期一 (on Monday) — these go BEFORE the verb. 时量短语 (duration phrases) tell HOW LONG: 三个小时 (three hours), 两天 (two days) — these go AFTER the verb. Example: 我三点来 (I'll come at 3) vs. 我来了三个小时了 (I've been here for three hours).

2. BASIC POSITION: AFTER THE VERB The duration phrase follows the verb directly: 我睡了八个小时。(I slept for eight hours.)

3. WITH OBJECTS: TWO STRATEGIES When the verb has an object, the duration cannot simply follow the object. Use one of two approaches: a) Repeat the verb: 我学汉语学了三年。(I studied Chinese for three years.) b) Move the object after the duration: 我学了三年汉语。/ 我学了三年的汉语。

4. WITH 了: COMPLETED DURATION For a completed action, use: Verb + 了 + Duration 我等了三十分钟。(I waited for thirty minutes.)

5. DOUBLE 了: ONGOING ACTION To show the action started in the past and is STILL continuing, use Verb + 了 + Duration + 了: 我学了两年汉语了。(I've been studying Chinese for two years — and I'm still studying.) Compare: 我学了两年汉语。(I studied Chinese for two years — completed.)

6. COMMON MISTAKE: DURATION BEFORE VERB Under the influence of English or Vietnamese, learners often put the duration before the verb. This is wrong. × 我三个小时学汉语。→ ✓ 我学了三个小时汉语。