Difference between revisions of "Direction complement"
 
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{{stub}}
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{{Grammar Box}}  
  
 
{{AKA|趋向补语 (qūxiàng bǔyǔ)|directional complement|complement of direction}}
 
{{AKA|趋向补语 (qūxiàng bǔyǔ)|directional complement|complement of direction}}
  
−
A ''direction complement'' is a [[Complements|verbal complement]] that's used, you guessed it, to describe the direction of a verb.
+
A direction complement is a [[complement]] used to describe the direction of a verb. Verbs often already have some inherent movement implied, but by adding a direction complement, it becomes clearer where, exactly, that action is going.
  
−
== Coming and going ==
+
== Simple Direction Complement ==
  
−
The most basic (and common) form of direction complement is formed by a verb and 来 or 去:
+
The most basic (and common) form of direction complement is formed by a verb and 来 or 去.
 +
 
 +
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Verb + 来 / 去
 +
</div>
 +
 +
The most important thing to consider with direction complements is '''the position of the speaker'''. If the action moves towards the speaker or comes closer in any way, use 来. If the action moves away from the speaker or becomes more distant in any way, use 去.
  
−
Verb + 来 or 去
+
<table class="table big-text table-striped table-bordered">
 +
<tr>
 +
<th style="width:15%">Verb</th>
 +
<th style="width:25%">+ Complement</th>
 +
<th style="width:60%">Explanation</th>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>下</td>
 +
<td>下来<span class="pinyin">xiàlái</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is down towards the speaker: "come down"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>下</td>
 +
<td>下去<span class="pinyin">xiàqù</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is down away from the speaker: "go down"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>上</td>
 +
<td>上来<span class="pinyin">shànglái</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is up towards the speaker: "come up"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>上</td>
 +
<td>上去<span class="pinyin">shàngqù</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is up and away from the speaker: "go up"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>出</td>
 +
<td>出来<span class="pinyin">chūlái</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is out and towards the speaker: "come out"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>出</td>
 +
<td>出去<span class="pinyin">chūqù</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is out and away from the speaker: "go out"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>进</td>
 +
<td>进来<span class="pinyin">jìnlái</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is in and towards the speaker: "come in"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>进</td>
 +
<td>进去<span class="pinyin">jìnqù</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is in and away from the speaker: "go in"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>回</td>
 +
<td>回来<span class="pinyin">huílái</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is towards the speaker: "come back"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>回</td>
 +
<td>回去<span class="pinyin">huíqù</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is away from the speaker: "go back"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
  
−
</div>
+
You might be wondering how the directional distinction between 来 and 去 works when you're talking about yourself moving. You can't move away from or towards yourself, so should it be 来 or 去? The answer is to look at the context of the movement you're talking about. Are you telling someone you'll see them tomorrow? Similar to English, in Chinese you'd say something like "I'll come and see you tomorrow."
 +
 
 +
=== Examples ===
  
−
The most important thing to consider with direction complements is '''the position of the speaker'''. If the action moves towards the speaker or comes closer in any way, use 来. If the action moves away from the speaker or becomes more distant in any way, use 去.
+
You can use these simple compounds in a huge variety of situations. Here are some example dialogs to provide a little more context:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="width:48em"
+
<ul class="dialog">
−
|+Direction complement examples
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 我 在 楼上 ，你 <em>上来</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài lóushàng, nǐ <em>shànglái</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm on the upper floor. Come up to me.</span></li>  
−
|-
+
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 你 在 楼上 等 我 一下 。我 一会儿 就 <em>上去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zài lóushàng děng wǒ yīxià. Wǒ yīhuìr jiù <em>shàngqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">Please wait a moment on the upper floor. I'll come up in a few minutes.</span></li>
−
! !! Direction !! Verb !! Complement !! Explanation
+
</ul>
−
|-
 
−
|rowspan="8"|<span class="spaced">Position of speaker</span>
 
−
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''←'''</span> || 下 || 下来 || <span class="spaced">The movement is down towards the speaker: "come down"</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''→'''</span> || 下 || 下去 || <span class="spaced">The movement is down away from the speaker: "go down"</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''←'''</span> || 上 || 上来 || <span class="spaced">The movement is up towards the speaker: "come up"</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''→'''</span> || 上 || 上去 || <span class="spaced">The movement is up and away from the speaker: "go up"</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''←'''</span> || 出 || 出来 || <span class="spaced">The movement is out and towards the speaker: "come out"</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''→'''</span> || 出 || 出去 || <span class="spaced">The movement is out and away from the speaker: "go out"</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''←'''</span> || 进 || 进来 || <span class="spaced">The movement is in and towards the speaker: "come in"</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''→'''</span> || 进 || 进去 || <span class="spaced">The movement is in and away from the speaker: "go in"</span>
 
−
|}
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
You might be wondering how the directional distinction between 来 and 去 works when you're talking about yourself moving. You can't move away from or towards yourself, so should it be 来 or 去? The answer is to look at the context of the movement you're talking about. Are you telling someone you'll see them tomorrow? As in English, in Chinese you'd say something like "I'll come and see you tomorrow".
+
<div class="liju">
  
−
=== Usage examples ===
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> <em>出来</em> 玩 吧 ，我们 在 酒吧 等 你 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Chūlái</em> wán ba, wǒmen zài jiǔbā děng nǐ.</span><span class="trans">Come and hang out with us. We'll be waiting in the bar.</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 妈 不 让 我 <em>出去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ mā bù ràng wǒ <em>chūqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">My mother won't let me go out.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
−
You can use these simple compounds in a huge variety of situations. Here are some examples:
+
</div>
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
* 我在楼上，请上来。
+
<ul class="dialog">
−
* 妈妈对儿子说：“爬树很危险，你下来！”
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 这 是 我家 ，<em>进来</em> 吧 ，随便 坐 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì wǒ jiā, <em>jìnlái</em> ba, suíbiàn zuò.</span><span class="trans">This is my house. Please come inside. Feel free to take a seat.</span></li>
−
* 你在楼上，我上来。
+
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 那 是 你 的 卧室 吗 ？我 能 <em>进去</em> 吗 ？<span class="pinyin">Nà shì nǐ de wòshì ma? Wǒ néng <em>jìnqù</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Is that your bedroom? Can I go in?</span></li>
−
* 你在楼下，我下来。
+
</ul>
−
 
 
−
* 我在外面，请出来。
 
−
* 我在里面，请进来。
 
−
* 他们在外面，咱们出去跟他们见面。
 
−
* 你先进去吧。
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
=== With other verbs ===
+
<div class="liju">
  
−
来 and 去 can form direction compounds with many other verbs. Some more examples:
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 下班 了 吗 ？几点 <em>回来</em> 吃饭 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ xiàbān le ma? Jǐ diǎn <em>huílái</em> chīfàn?</span><span class="trans">Are you off work now? When are you coming back for dinner?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 今天 不 <em>回去</em> 吃饭 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ jīntiān bù <em>huíqù</em> chīfàn.</span><span class="trans">I'm not going back home for dinner today.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
−
<div class="liju">
+
</div>
  
−
* 别想念我，我明天回来。
+
== Compound Direction Complements ==
−
* 他明天回去，我会想念他。
 
  
−
* 我有件事想跟你讨论，请过来。
+
Direction complements can be more complex than just 来 or 去.
−
* 我看到路边发生了事故，所以过去了。
 
  
−
</div>
+
=== Forming Compound Direction Complements ===
  
−
=== Adding a place with 到 ===
+
You can form compound direction complements in the following way:
  
−
Direction complements are very useful for talking about arriving at destinations. The structure for this is:
+
<table class="table big-text table-striped table-bordered">
 +
<tr>
 +
<th style="width:15%"></th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">上</th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">下</th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">进</th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">出</th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">回</th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">过</th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">起</th>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>来</td>
 +
<td>上来</td>
 +
<td>下来</td>
 +
<td>进来</td>
 +
<td>出来</td>
 +
<td>回来</td>
 +
<td>过来</td>
 +
<td>起来</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>去</td>
 +
<td>上去</td>
 +
<td>下去</td>
 +
<td>进去</td>
 +
<td>出去</td>
 +
<td>回去</td>
 +
<td>过去</td>
 +
<td>&nbsp;</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
  
−
<div class="jiegou">
+
These compounds can then be used in much the same way as 来 and 去. Attach them to verbs to give detail about the direction of the action.
  
−
到 + place + 来 or 去
+
=== Structure ===
  
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Verb + [Compound Direction Complement]
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
Notice that you separate the verb from its direction complement. The location goes in between the two. Some examples:
+
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
* 我刚才到上海来了。
+
*请 站 <em>起来</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Qǐng zhàn <em>qǐlái</em>.</span><span class="trans">Please stand up.</span>
−
* 你想到我家来吗？
+
*不要 让 它 跑 <em>出去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Bùyào ràng tā pǎo <em>chūqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">Don't let it run out.</span>
−
* 我明年会到巴黎去。
+
*从 我 家 走 <em>过来</em> 要 半 个 小时 。<span class="pinyin">Cóng wǒ jiā zǒu <em>guòlái</em> yào bàn gè xiǎoshí.</span> <span class="trans">It took me half an hour to walk here from my place.</span>
−
* 他没有到中国去过。
+
*你 包里 的 东西 都 拿 <em>出来</em> 了 吗 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ bāo lǐ de dōngxi dōu ná <em>chūlái</em> le ma?</span><span class="trans">Did you take all your stuff out of your bag?</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
== Direction complements and objects ==
+
== Direction Complements with Objects ==
 +
 
 +
Direction complements are not only used to describe the movement of people. Moving objects can also be described with direction complements. Again, the direction of the movement relative to the speaker (or at least to the context of the conversation) is important when deciding what complement to use.
 +
 
 +
The verbs that commonly appear in this construction include 拿, 送, and 带.
  
−
Direction complements are not only used to describe the movement of people. Moving objects can also be described with direction complements. Again, the direction of the movement relative to the speaker (or at least to the context of the conversation) is what's most important when deciding what complement to use.
+
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Verb + Object + Complement
 +
</div>
 +
 +
=== Examples ===
  
−
Subject + verb + direction complement + object
+
Some examples:
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
*服务员 ，请 再 拿 <strong>几 个 碗</strong> <em>来</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Fúwùyuán, qǐng zài ná <strong>jǐ gè wǎn</strong> <em>lái</em>.</span><span class="trans">Waiter, please bring a few more bowls.</span>
 +
*快点 送 <strong>孩子</strong> <em>去</em> 吧 ，别 迟到 了 。<span class="pinyin">Kuàidiǎn sòng <strong>háizi</strong> <em>qù</em> ba, bié chídào le.</span><span class="trans">Hurry up, send the  kids off. Don't be late.</span>
 +
*师傅 ，送 <strong>两 桶 水</strong> <em>来</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Shīfu, sòng <strong>liǎng tǒng shuǐ</strong> <em>lái</em>.</span><span class="trans">Shifu, please deliver two buckets of water.</span>
 +
*可以 带 <strong>朋友</strong> <em>过来</em> 吗 ？<span class="pinyin">Kěyǐ dài <strong>péngyou</strong> <em>guòlái</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Can I bring some friends over?</span>
 +
*他们 带 了 <strong>一些 礼物</strong> <em>回去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen dài le <strong>yīxiē lǐwù</strong> <em>huíqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">They took some presents back with them.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
This is the structure for the basic form of a sentence with a direction complement and an object. Verbs that commonly appear in this construction include 拿, 送, 奇 and 带. Some examples:
+
=== Common Mistakes ===
 +
 
 +
Although 回来 and 回去 can be compound complements, they can each also just be the verb 回 with a simple direction complement. Many Chinese learners make the following mistakes:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
* 我 带 来 了 <em>一 些 水果</em>。
+
<ul>
−
* 我 从 书架 上 拿 下来 <em>一 本 书</em>。
+
<li class="x">回来中国<span class="pinyin">huílai Zhōngguó</span></li>
−
* 他 给 我 送 来 了 <em>一 个 包裹</em>。
+
<li class="o">回中国来<span class="pinyin">huí Zhōngguó lái</span><span class="trans">come back to China</span></li>
−
* 我 拿 起来 了 <em>一 梅 硬币</em>。
+
<li class="x">回去美国<span class="pinyin">huíqu Měiguó</span></li>
−
* 放 下 你的 <em>手枪</em>！
+
<li class="o">回美国去<span class="pinyin">huí Měiguó qù</span><span class="trans">go back to the USA</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
=== Direction complements and 把 ===
+
You can't say 回来中国 because 回 is the verb, 来 is the complement, and 中国 is the object. You can't put both a complement and an object after a single verb, but it's OK to put just a 来 or 去 after the object. In spoken language, if the context is clear, people often omit 来 or 去 and only say 回美国 or 回中国.
 +
 
 +
== Direction Complements with 把 ==
 +
 
 +
Direction complements work very well in [[Ba sentence|把 sentences]], as they can be used to describe the disposal of an object (what happened to it in the end). Because of this, it's very common to see direction complements and 把 appearing together.
  
−
Direction complements work very well in [[Ba sentence|把 sentences]], as they can be used to describe the disposal of an object (what happened to it in the end). Because of this, it's very common to see direction complements and 把 appearing together. The structure is:
+
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + 把 + Obj. + Verb + [Direction Complement]
 +
</div>
  
−
Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + Direction complement
+
=== Examples ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
*<strong>把</strong> 书 <em>拿 出来</em> 。<span class="pinyin"><strong>Bǎ</strong> shū <em>ná chūlai</em>.</span><span class="trans">Take out your book.</span>
 +
*<strong>把</strong> 手 <em>举 起来</em> 。<span class="pinyin"><strong>Bǎ</strong> shǒu <em>jǔ qǐlái</em>.</span><span class="trans">Raise your hands.</span>
 +
*帮 我 <strong>把</strong> 这个 箱子 <em>搬 过去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Bāng wǒ <strong>bǎ</strong> zhège xiāngzi <em>bān guòqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">Help me move this suitcase over there.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
The above examples can be re-arranged into 把 sentences:
+
''See also: [[Ba sentence|把 sentences]]''
 +
 
 +
== Converting to Potential Complement ==
 +
 
 +
Adding 得 to directional complements makes the phrase an affirmative potential complement. Adding 不 makes the phrase a negative potential complement.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
* 我 <em>把</em> 一 些 水果 带 <em>来</em> 了。
+
{| class="wikitable" style="width:40em"
−
* 我 <em>把</em> 一 本 书 从 书架 上 拿 <em>下来</em> 了。
+
|+Direction and Potential Complements
−
* 他 <em>把</em> 一 个 包裹 给 我 送 <em>去</em> 了。
+
|-
−
* 我 <em>把</em> 这 梅 硬币 拿 <em>起来</em> 了。
+
! Direction<br />Complement !! Aff. Potential<br />Complement !! Neg. Potential<br />Complement
−
* <em>把</em> 你的 手枪 放 <em>下来</em>！
+
|-
 +
|  回 去 || 回 <em>得</em> 去 || 回 <em>不</em> 去
 +
|-
 +
|  过 来 || 过 <em>得</em> 来 || 过 <em>不</em> 来
 +
|-
 +
|  站 起来 || 站 <em>得</em> 起来 || 站 <em>不</em> 起来
 +
|-
 +
|  走 上去 || 走 <em>得</em> 上去 || 走 <em>不</em> 上去
 +
|-
 +
|  开 进去 || 开 <em>得</em> 进去 || 开 <em>不</em> 进去
 +
|-
 +
|  拿 出来 || 拿 <em>得</em> 出来 || 拿 <em>不</em> 出来
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
: ''See also: [[Ba sentence|把 sentences]]''
+
== Additional Meanings ==
 +
 
 +
A lot of direction complements, particularly compound direction complements, have additional idiomatic meanings beyond literally describing the direction of an action. The most common of these are:
  
−
== Negating direction complements ==
+
* [[Direction complement "-qilai"|起来]] (-qǐlái)
 +
* [[Advanced result complements|出来]] (-chūlai)
 +
* [[Result complement "xiaqu"|下去]] (-xiàqù)
  
−
== Direction complements in questions ==
+
== See also ==
  
−
== Direction complements with aspect particles ==
+
* [[Result complement]]
 +
* [[Potential complement]]
 +
* [[Degree complement]]
  
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
== Sources and further reading ==
  
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
 +
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 3|14, 110, 162}}
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 4下|118}}
 +
{{Source|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) |302-17}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|165}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|185-9}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1|267-8}}
 +
{{Source|Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar|58-65}}
 +
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)|40-1, 197-8}}
 +
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册）|313-4}}
 +
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册）|238-9, 255}}
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 5上|90}}
  
 
=== Websites ===
 
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* Mandarin Essential Grammar (Yale): [http://comet.cls.yale.edu/mandarin/content/directional/grammar/direction.htm Directional Complements]
 
* Mandarin Essential Grammar (Yale): [http://comet.cls.yale.edu/mandarin/content/directional/grammar/direction.htm Directional Complements]
  
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=== Videos ===
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*Yoyo Chinese: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbY2bNpYd6g Introduction to complement of direction]
  
 
[[Category:Complements]]
 
[[Category:Complements]]
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[[Category:Table]]
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{{HSK|HSK3}}
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{{HSK|HSK4}}
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{{Basic Grammar|来|B1|Verb (+ Direction) + 来 / 去|我们 走 <em>过去</em> 吧 。|grammar point|ASG8LWBJ}}
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{{Rel char|去}}
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{{Rel char|下}}
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{{Rel char|上}}
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{{Rel char|出}}
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{{Rel char|回}}
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{{Rel char|进}}
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{{Rel char|到}}
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{{Rel char|上来}}
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{{Rel char|上去}}
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{{Rel char|下来}}
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{{Rel char|下去}}
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{{Rel char|出来}}
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{{Rel char|出去}}
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{{Rel char|回来}}
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{{Rel char|回去}}
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{{Rel char|进去}}
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{{Rel char|进来}}
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{{Rel char|过来}}
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{{Rel char|过去}}
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{{Similar|Result complement}}
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{{Similar|Degree complement}}
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{{Similar|Potential complement}}
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{{Similar|Advanced uses of result complement "-qilai"}}
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{{Similar|Ba sentence}}
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{{Similar|Bei sentence}}
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{{Similar|Direction complement "-qilai"}}
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{{Used for|Expressing movement}}
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{{Used for|Describing places}}
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{{Used for|Describing actions}}
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{{Structure|Complements}}
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{{Subprop|Direction complement}}

Latest revision as of 03:11, 29 December 2020

Also known as: 趋向补语 (qūxiàng bǔyǔ), directional complement and complement of direction.

A direction complement is a complement used to describe the direction of a verb. Verbs often already have some inherent movement implied, but by adding a direction complement, it becomes clearer where, exactly, that action is going.

Simple Direction Complement

The most basic (and common) form of direction complement is formed by a verb and 来 or 去.

Structure

Verb + 来 / 去

The most important thing to consider with direction complements is the position of the speaker. If the action moves towards the speaker or comes closer in any way, use 来. If the action moves away from the speaker or becomes more distant in any way, use 去.

Verb + Complement Explanation
下 下来xiàlái The movement is down towards the speaker: "come down"
下 下去xiàqù The movement is down away from the speaker: "go down"
上 上来shànglái The movement is up towards the speaker: "come up"
上 上去shàngqù The movement is up and away from the speaker: "go up"
出 出来chūlái The movement is out and towards the speaker: "come out"
出 出去chūqù The movement is out and away from the speaker: "go out"
进 进来jìnlái The movement is in and towards the speaker: "come in"
进 进去jìnqù The movement is in and away from the speaker: "go in"
回 回来huílái The movement is towards the speaker: "come back"
回 回去huíqù The movement is away from the speaker: "go back"

You might be wondering how the directional distinction between 来 and 去 works when you're talking about yourself moving. You can't move away from or towards yourself, so should it be 来 or 去? The answer is to look at the context of the movement you're talking about. Are you telling someone you'll see them tomorrow? Similar to English, in Chinese you'd say something like "I'll come and see you tomorrow."

Examples

You can use these simple compounds in a huge variety of situations. Here are some example dialogs to provide a little more context:

  • A: 我 在 楼上 ，你 上来 。Wǒ zài lóushàng, nǐ shànglái.I'm on the upper floor. Come up to me.
  • B: 你 在 楼上 等 我 一下 。我 一会儿 就 上去 。Nǐ zài lóushàng děng wǒ yīxià. Wǒ yīhuìr jiù shàngqù.Please wait a moment on the upper floor. I'll come up in a few minutes.
  • A: 出来 玩 吧 ，我们 在 酒吧 等 你 。Chūlái wán ba, wǒmen zài jiǔbā děng nǐ.Come and hang out with us. We'll be waiting in the bar.
  • B: 我 妈 不 让 我 出去 。Wǒ mā bù ràng wǒ chūqù.My mother won't let me go out.
  • A: 这 是 我家 ，进来 吧 ，随便 坐 。Zhè shì wǒ jiā, jìnlái ba, suíbiàn zuò.This is my house. Please come inside. Feel free to take a seat.
  • B: 那 是 你 的 卧室 吗 ？我 能 进去 吗 ？Nà shì nǐ de wòshì ma? Wǒ néng jìnqù ma?Is that your bedroom? Can I go in?
  • A: 你 下班 了 吗 ？几点 回来 吃饭 ？Nǐ xiàbān le ma? Jǐ diǎn huílái chīfàn?Are you off work now? When are you coming back for dinner?
  • B: 我 今天 不 回去 吃饭 。Wǒ jīntiān bù huíqù chīfàn.I'm not going back home for dinner today.

Compound Direction Complements

Direction complements can be more complex than just 来 or 去.

Forming Compound Direction Complements

You can form compound direction complements in the following way:

上 下 进 出 回 过 起
来 上来 下来 进来 出来 回来 过来 起来
去 上去 下去 进去 出去 回去 过去  

These compounds can then be used in much the same way as 来 and 去. Attach them to verbs to give detail about the direction of the action.

Structure

Verb + [Compound Direction Complement]

Examples

  • 请 站 起来 。Qǐng zhàn qǐlái.Please stand up.
  • 不要 让 它 跑 出去 。Bùyào ràng tā pǎo chūqù.Don't let it run out.
  • 从 我 家 走 过来 要 半 个 小时 。Cóng wǒ jiā zǒu guòlái yào bàn gè xiǎoshí. It took me half an hour to walk here from my place.
  • 你 包里 的 东西 都 拿 出来 了 吗 ？Nǐ bāo lǐ de dōngxi dōu ná chūlái le ma?Did you take all your stuff out of your bag?

Direction Complements with Objects

Direction complements are not only used to describe the movement of people. Moving objects can also be described with direction complements. Again, the direction of the movement relative to the speaker (or at least to the context of the conversation) is important when deciding what complement to use.

The verbs that commonly appear in this construction include 拿, 送, and 带.

Structure

Verb + Object + Complement

Examples

Some examples:

  • 服务员 ，请 再 拿 几 个 碗 来 。Fúwùyuán, qǐng zài ná jǐ gè wǎn lái.Waiter, please bring a few more bowls.
  • 快点 送 孩子 去 吧 ，别 迟到 了 。Kuàidiǎn sòng háizi qù ba, bié chídào le.Hurry up, send the kids off. Don't be late.
  • 师傅 ，送 两 桶 水 来 。Shīfu, sòng liǎng tǒng shuǐ lái.Shifu, please deliver two buckets of water.
  • 可以 带 朋友 过来 吗 ？Kěyǐ dài péngyou guòlái ma?Can I bring some friends over?
  • 他们 带 了 一些 礼物 回去 。Tāmen dài le yīxiē lǐwù huíqù.They took some presents back with them.

Common Mistakes

Although 回来 and 回去 can be compound complements, they can each also just be the verb 回 with a simple direction complement. Many Chinese learners make the following mistakes:

  • 回来中国huílai Zhōngguó
  • 回中国来huí Zhōngguó láicome back to China
  • 回去美国huíqu Měiguó
  • 回美国去huí Měiguó qùgo back to the USA

You can't say 回来中国 because 回 is the verb, 来 is the complement, and 中国 is the object. You can't put both a complement and an object after a single verb, but it's OK to put just a 来 or 去 after the object. In spoken language, if the context is clear, people often omit 来 or 去 and only say 回美国 or 回中国.

Direction Complements with 把

Direction complements work very well in 把 sentences, as they can be used to describe the disposal of an object (what happened to it in the end). Because of this, it's very common to see direction complements and 把 appearing together.

Structure

Subj. + 把 + Obj. + Verb + [Direction Complement]

Examples

  • 把 书 拿 出来 。Bǎ shū ná chūlai.Take out your book.
  • 把 手 举 起来 。Bǎ shǒu jǔ qǐlái.Raise your hands.
  • 帮 我 把 这个 箱子 搬 过去 。Bāng wǒ bǎ zhège xiāngzi bān guòqù.Help me move this suitcase over there.

See also: 把 sentences

Converting to Potential Complement

Adding 得 to directional complements makes the phrase an affirmative potential complement. Adding 不 makes the phrase a negative potential complement.

Direction and Potential Complements
Direction
Complement		 Aff. Potential
Complement		 Neg. Potential
Complement
回 去 回 得 去 回 不 去
过 来 过 得 来 过 不 来
站 起来 站 得 起来 站 不 起来
走 上去 走 得 上去 走 不 上去
开 进去 开 得 进去 开 不 进去
拿 出来 拿 得 出来 拿 不 出来

Additional Meanings

A lot of direction complements, particularly compound direction complements, have additional idiomatic meanings beyond literally describing the direction of an action. The most common of these are:

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

Videos











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