你做完了吗
nǐ zuò wán le ma
The English phrase "are you done" can be translated into Chinese as 你做完了吗 (nǐ zuò wán le ma).
This phrase is used to ask if someone has finished a task or activity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 你做完了吗 breaks down literally as 你 (you), 做 (do), 完 (finish), 了 (aspect particle for completed action) and 吗 (question particle).
Which one should you use?
While 你做完了吗 specifically asks if a task is finished, 你好了吗 is a common alternative meaning "Are you ready?" or "Are you done?" in a more general sense (e.g., getting dressed or finishing a meal).
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ zuò wán le ma
When do people say it?
A common way to answer "Yes, I am done" is to repeat the verb phrase without the question particle 吗, using 做完了. To say "Not yet" in response to this question, one typically says 还没.
Did you know?
- The particle 了 (le) in 你做完了吗 does not indicate a past tense, but rather a change in state from 'not finished' to 'finished'.
- If you use the phrase 你好了吗 to ask if someone is finished, you might accidentally sound like you are asking if they are 'feeling well' or 'recovered' from an illness.
- If someone is taking too long, a speaker might replace 吗 with 没有 (méi yǒu) at the end of the sentence to create a more insistent tone.
Examples in context
- 请问，您完成了吗？Excuse me, have you finished?
- 你做好了吗？Have you finished your assignment?
- 你做完了吗？Have you finished your homework?
- 作业你做完了吗？Zuòyè nǐ zuò wán le ma?Are you done with your homework?
- 这份报告你做完了吗？Zhè fèn bàogào nǐ zuò wán le ma?Are you done with this report?
Example conversation
At home, Junjie asks Zihan if she has finished her chores.
- 俊杰 Junjie梓涵，你做完了吗？Zǐhán, nǐ zuò wán le ma?Zihan, are you done?
- 梓涵 Zihan我还没做完。Wǒ hái méi zuò wán.I am not done yet.
- 俊杰 Junjie需要我帮你吗？Xūyào wǒ bāng nǐ ma?Do you need my help?
- 梓涵 Zihan太好了，谢谢你。Tài hǎo le, xièxiè nǐ.That would be great, thank you.
