Mandarin · Chapter 18 · Lesson 9 · Grammar primer
Duration complements (时量补语)
How long an action lasts goes AFTER the verb, not before: 他睡了八个小时. With an object you either repeat the verb (他学中文学了三年) or split the duration in with 的 (他学了三年的中文). The 了 placement for a finished vs still-running stretch, the negation that flips duration in front (他三天没吃饭), and the classic 我学了中文三年 error.
The lesson is a long-form read rather than a flashcard session. Open the primer below, work through it once, then come back and continue with the next lesson.
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