Keywords: wán, 完, Chinese verb complement, to finish in Chinese, complete, done, over, run out, Chinese grammar, resultative complement, HSK 1.
Summary: An essential HSK 1 word, 完 (wán) is a fundamental Chinese concept meaning 'to finish', 'complete', or 'be done'. It's most frequently used as a resultative complement attached directly to a verb to show that an action has reached its conclusion, such as in 吃完 (chī wán), meaning 'to finish eating'. This guide explores the critical grammatical function of 完 (wán), its use in everyday expressions like “It's over!”, and provides practical examples to help beginners master this crucial element of the Chinese language.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): wán
Part of Speech: Verb, Resultative Complement, Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 1
Concise Definition: To finish an action, complete a task, be done, or be used up.
In a Nutshell: Think of 完 (wán) as a “completion marker” that you attach to the end of a verb. In English, we use a separate verb like “finish” (e.g., “I finished reading the book”). In Chinese, you fuse the idea of completion directly onto the action verb itself. So, “read” (看 kàn) becomes “read-finish” (看完 kàn wán). This concept of showing the *result* of an action is a cornerstone of Chinese grammar, and 完 (wán) is your first and most important tool for expressing it.
Character Breakdown
完 (wán): This character is a combination of two components:
宀 (mián): The “roof” radical, representing a house or shelter.
元 (yuán): Meaning “first,” “primary,” or “origin.”
Together, you can think of them as representing the “primary” or “original” purpose (元) being brought to its conclusion under one “roof” (宀). This signifies that a process has been contained and brought to its natural end, hence the meaning of “complete” or “finish.”
Cultural Context and Significance
The significance of 完 (wán) is more linguistic than cultural, but it reveals a core aspect of Chinese thinking: a focus on results. The widespread use of resultative complements like 完 (wán) shows that the outcome of an action is often just as important, if not more so, than the action itself.
Comparison to Western Concepts: In English, we express tense and completion with auxiliary verbs and verb endings (e.g., “I ate,” “I have eaten,” “I will finish eating”). The Chinese approach with 完 (wán) is more direct and modular. You take an action (like 吃 chī, “to eat”) and add a result module (完 wán) to create a new, more specific meaning: 吃完 (chī wán), “to finish eating.” This action-result structure is a fundamental difference in how the two languages build meaning and describe the world. It’s less about *when* something happened and more about *what result* the action produced.
Practical Usage in Modern China
As a Resultative Complement (Most Common): This is the primary function of 完. It attaches to a verb to indicate the action is finished.
Meaning “Used Up” or “Depleted”: When used with verbs like `用 (yòng)` (to use) or `花 (huā)` (to spend), it means to run out of something completely.
e.g., 钱花完了 (qián huā wán le) - The money is all spent. 纸用完了 (zhǐ yòng wán le) - The paper has run out.
As a Standalone Verb (Colloquial):
In conversation, 完了 (wán le) is a very common exclamation meaning “It's over!”, “I'm doomed!”, “We're toast!”, or “It's ruined!”. It carries a strong negative connotation.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
你什么时候能做完你的作业？
Pinyin: Nǐ shénme shíhòu néng zuòwán nǐ de zuòyè?
English: When can you finish your homework?
Analysis: A classic example of `verb + 完`. 做完 (zuòwán) means “to finish doing.” This is a very common question for students.
Example 2:
我终于把那本厚厚的书看完了。
Pinyin: Wǒ zhōngyú bǎ nà běn hòuhòu de shū kànwán le.
English: I finally finished reading that thick book.
Analysis: This sentence uses the `把 (bǎ)` structure to emphasize the disposal of the object (the book) through the action of “finish reading” (看完).
Example 3:
等我说完，你再发表意见。
Pinyin: Děng wǒ shuōwán, nǐ zài fābiǎo yìjiàn.
English: Wait until I've finished speaking, then you can express your opinion.
Analysis: Here, 说完 (shuōwán) acts as a condition. The second action (“you express your opinion”) can only happen after the first action is completed.
Example 4:
糟糕！我把手机的电用完了。
Pinyin: Zāogāo! Wǒ bǎ shǒujī de diàn yòngwán le.
English: Oh no! I've used up my phone's battery.
Analysis: This demonstrates the “used up” or “depleted” meaning. 用完 (yòngwán) means to use until nothing is left.
Example 5:
完了！我忘了今天是他的生日！
Pinyin: Wán le! Wǒ wàng le jīntiān shì tā de shēngrì!
English: I'm doomed! I forgot it's his birthday today!
Analysis: This shows 完了 (wán le) used as a standalone, colloquial exclamation to express that something has gone terribly wrong.
Example 6:
这部电影还没演完，请不要离开。
Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng hái méi yǎnwán, qǐng búyào líkāi.
English: This movie hasn't finished playing yet, please don't leave.
Analysis: This shows the negative form. To say an action is *not* finished, you use `还没 (hái méi) + Verb + 完`. Note that `不 (bù)` is not used here.
English: After you finish listening to this song, you will definitely fall in love with it.
Analysis: 听完 (tīngwán) signifies the completion of the listening experience, which is the prerequisite for the predicted outcome.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`完 (wán)` vs. `了 (le)`: This is the most common point of confusion for beginners.
完 (wán) indicates completion. It's a result. It means the action reached its natural end.
了 (le) indicates a completed action or a change of state. The action happened, but it might not be finished.
Compare: `我看了那本书 (Wǒ kàn le nà běn shū)` → “I read that book.” (Maybe you read a few pages, maybe the whole thing. It just states the action occurred).
Compare: `我看完了那本书 (Wǒ kàn wán le nà běn shū)` → “I finished reading that book.” (You read it from cover to cover. The action is 100% complete). They are often used together, where `完` provides the result and `了` marks the completed action.
`完 (wán)` vs. `结束 (jiéshù)`:
完 (wán) is typically a complement used for tasks, actions, and things being used up. It's very common and less formal.
结束 (jiéshù) is a more formal, standalone verb meaning “to end, conclude, terminate.” It's used for events, meetings, relationships, and eras.
Correct: 会议结束了。(Huìyì jiéshù le.) - The meeting has ended.
Incorrect: 会议完了。(This sounds like “The meeting is doomed!”)
Correct: 我做完作业了。(Wǒ zuò wán zuòyè le.) - I finished my homework.
Awkward: 我结束作业了。
Negating with `没 (méi)`: To say you *haven't finished* something, always use `没 (méi)` or `还没有 (hái méiyǒu)`, not `不 (bù)`.
Correct: 我没看完。(Wǒ méi kàn wán.) - I haven't finished reading.
Incorrect: 我不看完。(Wǒ bù kàn wán.)
Related Terms and Concepts
* 完成 (wánchéng) - A more formal verb meaning “to complete” or “accomplish,” often used for significant tasks, projects, or missions.
* 结束 (jiéshù) - A formal verb for “to end” or “conclude,” used for events, meetings, or relationships, not as a complement.
* 了 (le) - The grammatical particle indicating a completed action or change of state, which often appears in sentences with `完`.
* 好 (hǎo) - Another common resultative complement. `做好 (zuò hǎo)` means to do something well or to the point of readiness, while `做完 (zuò wán)` just means it's finished (the quality isn't specified).
* 完美 (wánměi) - An adjective meaning “perfect,” literally “complete and beautiful.”
* 完整 (wánzhěng) - An adjective meaning “complete,” “whole,” or “intact.”
* 用光 (yòngguāng) - A synonym for `用完 (yòng wán)`. `光 (guāng)` as a complement means “bare” or “nothing left.”