Result complement "-xiaqu"

下去 (xiàqù) is one of the most often heard result complements. Master how to use it with this article!

Structure

下去 can be used as a result complement to talk about things continuing or carrying on. Think of it as a figurative way of "keeping the ball rolling" (downhill).

It can be used in a positive way as well as in a negative way.

Subj. + Verb + 下去

Subj. + Verb + 不 + 下去

Some examples:

• 这个 故事 太 无聊 了， 我听不下去了。Zhège gùshi tài wúliáo le, wǒ tīng bù xiàqù le.This story is too boring, I can't keep listening to it.
• 这 个 菜 很 难吃 , 我 吃 不 下去。Zhège cài hěn nán chī, wǒ chī bù xiàqù.This food is disgusting, I can't keep eating it.
• 这个 电影 画面 太 残忍 了，我 看 不 下去了！Zhège diànyǐng huàmiàn tài cánrěn le, wǒ kàn bù xiàqù le!This scene in the movie is too cruel, I can't keep watching it.

See also

• Potential complement "bu xia"
• Result complement "-qilai" (起来)
• Resultative Complement "chu(lai)"(出来)
• Direction complement

Sources and further reading

Books

• New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 184) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 232-3) →buy
• Boya Chinese Lower Intermediate 2 (博雅汉语准中级加速篇) (pp. 137) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 184) →buy
• 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册） (p. 429)→buy