verb HSK 2
to finish eating · to eat up
Meaning
This is a resultative verb compound combining 吃 (to eat) with the resultative complement 完 (to finish, to complete). It specifically indicates that the action of eating has been completed or that food has been consumed entirely.
Usage
This is an extremely common everyday expression used when talking about finishing a meal or finishing eating something. It can be used both transitively (吃完饭 - finish eating a meal) and intransitively (吃完了 - finished eating). Native speakers use this naturally in casual conversation about meals.
Examples
- 01我已经吃完了，你慢慢吃。, .I've already finished eating, take your time.
- 02孩子们把所有的饼干都吃完了。.The children ate up all the cookies.
Characters
Common collocations
- 吃完饭finish eating a meal
- 吃完了finished eating (completed action)
- 还没吃完haven't finished eating yet
- 吃完再说we'll talk after eating
Origin
完 originally meant 'complete' or 'whole'. As a resultative complement after action verbs, it indicates the action has been carried through to completion.