完了

• Pinyin: wán le
• Hanzi breakdown: 完 = 宀 (roof) + 元 (origin), complete; 了 = particle indicating completion

Meaning

It's over; finished; doomed; an exclamation expressing that something bad has happened.

While literally meaning 'finished,' this expression is commonly used as an exclamation when something has gone wrong or a disaster has occurred. Can express resignation, despair, or dismay. The tone can range from serious concern to humorous overreaction depending on context.

Examples

1. 完了，我把钥匙锁在车里了！ Oh no, I locked my keys in the car!
2. 今天的作业还没做，完了，老师肯定要批评我。 I haven't done today's homework yet. I'm doomed — the teacher is definitely going to criticize me.
3. 手机没电了，完了，今天的行程都在手机里。 My phone is dead. This is bad — today's itinerary is all on my phone.

Usage Guide

Context: exclamation, casual, everyday

Tone: dismayed

Do Say

• 完了完了，迟到了！(Oh no, I'm late!)
• 这下完了。(Now we're done for.)

Don't Say

• 完了 in formal situations to announce completion — use 完成了 or 结束了; 完了 as an exclamation sounds too casual

Origin & History

Compound of 完 (finish/complete) + 了 (perfective particle), literally 'finished,' evolved into an exclamation of dismay.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal