了 vs 过 vs 着: Aspect Markers Mandarin yang Sering Bingung

了 (le): completed action / change of state

**Use 1: completed action.** 我吃了饭 (I have eaten/ate). 了 placed after verb.

**Use 2: change of state.** 下雨了 (it's raining now, started). 了 placed at end of sentence.

Trap: position 了 matters. Verb + 了 vs sentence-end 了 = different meaning.

过 (guo): experiential past

Action yang pernah dilakukan minimal satu kali di past. Bukan tentang kapan, tapi tentang experience.

Contoh: 我去过中国 (I have been to China). Beda dengan 我去了中国 (I went to China, specific occasion).

Negative: 没 + verb + 过. 我没去过日本 (I have never been to Japan).

着 (zhe): ongoing state

State yang sedang berlangsung atau attached. Bukan ongoing action (yang pakai 在), tapi ongoing state.

Contoh: 门开着 (the door is open, state). 他坐着 (he is in sitting position). Sering pakai di description.

10 contoh comparison

**他吃了饭** = He ate (completed). **他吃过饭** = He has eaten (general experience). **他吃着饭** = He is eating (state of eating).

**我看了电影** = I watched the movie (specific). **我看过这部电影** = I've seen this movie (before). **他坐着看电影** = He's watching movie (in sitting state).

**下雪了** = It started snowing. **我去过中国** = Been to China. **窗户开着** = Window is open.

**他来了** = He came / he's arrived. **他来过** = He has been (here before). **他笑着说话** = He's talking with smile (smile state).