找到

[TCcookie]

Hello. I just got hired for a new job, today, and I want to figure out how to say, "I found a job." The first thing that came to mind was, ＂我把工作找到了" because 到　shows that my search was a success (find) and 了 puts the whole thing in the past, and 把 allows the complements.

However, now that I look at it, the 把　and 了 make 工作 of definite reference, and I only want to say the equivalent of "I found a job," not "I found my career" or some such.

Can I simply say 我找到工作　or　我把工作找到? But then could I add 了at the end of either of those to imply that the state of my being employed is continued or to indicate that further action is coming on my part? Of course, if I add 了 to the end of the second option, I'm back to where I started!

Of course, all my assumptions could be totally wrong, in which case please tell me which questions I should be asking. Where does or could 了 figure into my expression, if at all?

Thank you so much for your time.

[Claw]

I think the best way to say it would be: 我找到了一份工作。

[HashiriKata]

If you just simply want to inform of the fact:

我找到工作了!

(The 了 here has nothing to do with the past or tense)

[xiaocai]

Claw gave the most accurate translation.

了 is usually neccesary in a declarative sentence, but must be omitted in a negative sentence and optional in an interrogative sentence.

[Quest]

I reopened this thread per TCcookie's request, please take the hostilities to PM or Email.

Thanks

[HashiriKata]

Just in case TCcookie wonders the difference between the two suggested sentences:

1. 我找到了一份工作。

2. 我找到工作了!

You use (1) when you're focusing on the action, as if saying "Ok, this was what I did: 我找到了一份工作." or answering the question "Tell me what happened then?" => 我找到了一份工作。

You use (2) when you want to tell people the good news, as if saying "You know what, 我找到工作了!, and I'm quite pleased". In saying "我找到工作了!", you are telling the hearer of your new situation.

In short, you use (1) to narrate and (2) to inform. Which one do you think applies to your situation?

Hope this helps.

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To Quest:

I've made my New Year's resolution and I'll have better things to do.