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modal particle HSK 3
la
modal particle indicating completed action or change with exclamation · contraction of 了啊

Meaning

啦 is a common sentence-final particle that combines the functions of 了 (le) and 啊 (a). It marks a completed action or new situation while adding an exclamatory, enthusiastic, or emphatic tone. It makes statements sound more lively and conversational.

Usage

Used primarily in spoken Mandarin and informal writing. It appears at the end of sentences to convey excitement, obviousness, or to soften a statement. Native speakers use it to make their speech sound friendlier and less abrupt. Very common in daily conversation but avoided in formal writing.

Examples

  1. 01
    我吃完啦！
    Wǒ chī wán la!
    I've finished eating!
  2. 02
    别说啦，我们快走吧。
    Bié shuō la, wǒmen kuài zǒu ba.
    Stop talking, let's go quickly.

Common collocations

  • 好啦
    hǎo la
    alright!, OK!
  • 走啦
    zǒu la
    let's go!, leaving now!
  • 来啦
    lái la
    coming!, here it comes!
  • 知道啦
    zhī dào la
    I know already!

Origin

啦 is a phonetic contraction of 了 (le, aspect marker) and 啊 (a, exclamatory particle), combining their grammatical functions into a single character.

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