<p><strong>In practice</strong>, there is no difference. Both sentences mean</p>
<blockquote>
<p>we have been separated for 10 years</p>
</blockquote>
<p>and that's the information most natives would get from it.</p>
<p><strong>In theory</strong> though, textbooks and/or particularly pedantic speakers might point out that there is in fact a difference: the presence of the first 了 as a marker of aspect could signal that the separation has ended. Thus, you might get two different translations:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>我们已经分别<strong>了</strong>十年了</p>
<p>We <strong>were</strong> separated for 10 years (implying now we're back together)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>and</p>
<blockquote>
<p>我们已经分别十年了</p>
<p>We have been separated for 10 years (implying we still are)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>However it can be argued that the presence of the adverb 已经 (already) helps discriminate in favor of the latter, i.e. that being separated is an ongoing situation.</p>
<p>Anyway, as an unrequested comment: personally I would use the verb 分开 here, instead of 分别</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-17T20:17:59.583Z
2020-05-17T20:17:59.583Z
2020-06-17T09:50:11.587Z
blackgreen
<p>Is there any difference between these two sentences: 我们已经分别了十年了  and 我们已经分别十年了 , the question is regarding 了 in these sentences, should we put one or two 了? </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<translation><grammar>
时量补语：modal and verb 了
# 时量补语：modal and verb 了

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-17)

Is there any difference between these two sentences: 我们已经分别了十年了 and 我们已经分别十年了 , the question is regarding 了 in these sentences, should we put one or two 了?

Thanks.

**Tags:** translation, grammar


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-05-17. Score: 1

**In practice**, there is no difference. Both sentences mean

> we have been separated for 10 years

and that's the information most natives would get from it.

**In theory** though, textbooks and/or particularly pedantic speakers might point out that there is in fact a difference: the presence of the first 了 as a marker of aspect could signal that the separation has ended. Thus, you might get two different translations:

> 我们已经分别**了**十年了
>
> We **were** separated for 10 years (implying now we're back together)

and

> 我们已经分别十年了
>
> We have been separated for 10 years (implying we still are)

However it can be argued that the presence of the adverb 已经 (already) helps discriminate in favor of the latter, i.e. that being separated is an ongoing situation.

Anyway, as an unrequested comment: personally I would use the verb 分开 here, instead of 分别


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