Learning Mandarin Chinese involves understanding the subtleties between words that might initially appear similar. Two such words are 完 (wán) and 完成 (wánchéng). Both verbs are related to the concept of completion, but they are used in different contexts and carry different nuances. This article will explore these differences, providing clarifications to help you use 完 and 完成 correctly in your conversations.

Understanding 完 (wán)

完 (wán) is a verb that translates to “to finish” or “to be over” in English. It is used to indicate the end of an action or event, but it does not emphasize the achievement or the fulfillment of the task. The focus is on the cessation rather than the accomplishment.

完 can be used as a standalone verb or combined with other verbs to give a sense of completion. When used alone, it often follows the subject and the time expression.

我三点完了。
(I finished at three o’clock.)

In this sentence, 完了 indicates that some unspecified action or event concluded at the mentioned time. There is no indication of what was finished or whether the completion was successful.

Understanding 完成 (wánchéng)

完成 (wánchéng), on the other hand, means “to complete” or “to accomplish”. This verb emphasizes not only the end of an action but also its successful conclusion. 完成 is often used when referring to tasks, objectives, or projects, highlighting the fulfillment of requirements or goals.

完成 is typically used with an object that specifies what has been completed.

她昨天完成了报告。
(She completed the report yesterday.)

Here, 完成了 not only tells us that the action is finished, but it also implies that the report meets certain standards or expectations. This use of 完成 conveys a sense of achievement that 完 does not.

Comparative Usage in Sentences

To further illustrate the difference, consider these sentences:

他们吃完了晚饭。
(They finished dinner.)

In this example, 吃完了 indicates that the act of eating dinner has concluded. There is no implication about the quality of the dinner or whether the act of eating was successful.

他们完成了晚饭的准备。
(They completed the preparation for dinner.)

Here, 完成了 emphasizes that the preparation for dinner was done to a satisfactory level, fulfilling whatever requirements were necessary for the preparation.

Additional Nuances and Examples

Another aspect to consider is the formality and context in which 完 and 完成 are used. 完成 is more likely to appear in formal or written Chinese, especially in official or academic contexts, whereas 完 might be more commonly found in everyday conversation.

看书要看完。
(You should finish reading the book.)

This use of 看完 focuses purely on reaching the end of the book.

完成这本书的阅读。
(Complete the reading of this book.)

Here, 完成 implies a thorough and comprehensive reading, possibly for a class or an assignment.

Practical Applications

Understanding the distinction between 完 and 完成 can also be crucial in professional settings, where the precision of language can impact clarity and outcomes.

项目终于完成了。
(The project is finally completed.)

The use of 完成了 conveys that all aspects of the project have been dealt with successfully.

Conclusion

In summary, while both 完 (wán) and 完成 (wánchéng) relate to the idea of finishing, 完 focuses more on the cessation of an activity, and 完成 emphasizes the successful conclusion of a task or fulfillment of requirements. Recognizing when to use each can greatly enhance your clarity and accuracy in Mandarin Chinese. As you continue your language learning journey, keep practicing these nuances, and soon, using 完 and 完成 appropriately will become second nature.