啦 la final particle of an assertion
How to remember 啦: 口 mouth + 拉 to pull = final particle of an assertion. The Chinese tutor opens her mouth wide, pretends to pull the sound out like taffy and teaches the class the final particle of an assertion.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
啦 = 口 mouth + 拉 to pull
- 口 mouth meaning
- 拉 to pull sound
- 扌 hand
- 立 stand
The Chinese tutor opens her mouth wide, pretends to pull the sound out like taffy and teaches the class the final particle of an assertion.
How it came to be
The mouth gives the meaning and the right part gives the sound.
How it is used
- Sentence-final fusion of 了+啊, adds warmth or liveliness to a completed/changed state: 我来啦！(wǒ lái la) I'm here!, 好啦好啦 (hǎo la hǎo la) okay okay!
- Much more casual and upbeat than plain 了. Also in 啦啦队 (lāladuì) cheer squad.