Which part confuses you? 了 does not have a meaning in English and has many different functions in Mandarin, which means it can't be explained in full detail. As you continue to learn Mandarin, you'll get used to the different usages and how it works. I'll list some ways off the top of my head: *The most common usage would probably be "marking completion"* 我吃了西瓜 = I ate watermelon. 了 is placed after the verb to show the action being complete. *Showing a change in a situation* 他不去了 = he's not going anymore.他不去 means "he isn't going", but in a situation where "he was going to go, but it started to rain and decided not to go" you would add 了 at the end to imply a change. *了 also shows the time being late* 快八点了!- it's almost 8 o'clock! 都四点了 = it's already 4:00 *to urge someone to do something* 该你了 = it's your turn In many cases 了 does not have an actual function, like in the expression: 太大了[it's too big] or 太棒了[it's so great]. Some Chinese words even require 了 to be placed after them, such as: 算了(forget it/let it be) 忘了 - (to forget) 对了(by the way) 错了 (incorrect). Also, note that 了 is often taught as the "past tense" marker which can only be used in the past. This isn't true, 了 doesn't relate to past tense but to the action being complete. like in the sentence 他吃了早饭(he had breakfast). There is no clear distinction as to exactly when he had it, but that the action has finished. Take a look at this sentenceL 我明天下了课就回家 "I'm going home after I finish class tomorrow." Here, 了 is used in the future tense and shows that when the first action is complete, the next one will happen. 了 is very flexible and can be used in so many different ways, its impossible to list them all. I hope this clears some confusion or helps you somewhat

了 liǎo 明白，知道：明了。一目了然。 完结，结束：完了。了结。 在动词后，与“不”、“得”连用，表示可能或不可能：看不了。办得了。 与“得”、“不得”前后连用，表示异乎寻常或情况严重：那还了得！ 了 放在动词或形容词后，表示动作或变化已经完成：写完了。 助词，用在句子末尾或句中停顿的地方，表示变化，表示出现新的情况：刮风了。 以上是新华字典解释。 其实只要明白，了，（le）是助词没有什么实际意义。了，（liao）了解，明白的意思。

I'm afraid it can't be explained in detail. This character is the stuff of learning and covers hours of study. There is no short cut!

了 this word mean a little english's "well...." When you to describe one thing finished or condition and add this word(了) at the sentence's fianl. *He is very handsome (他太帥了)describe one thing *It's already 4:00 (已經四點了)describe one thing *He is carsick (他暈車了) condition *She hang out with her friend (她和她的朋友出去玩了) condition

son without arms