Using the verb "qu"

It's pretty easy to get a handle on the verb 去 (qù).

With just a Place

Structure

The verb 去 means "to go," and is an easy way to talk about going to places.

Subject + 去 + Place

Notice that you don't need a word to express "to."

Examples:

• 我 去 学校。I go to school.
• 他 去 图书馆。He goes to the library.
• 她 去 邮局。She goes to the post office.

You can also use 去 to ask questions. When answering a question that uses 去 you don't need anything following it. However, it's important to note that you cannot just use 去 when there is no context.

• 你 去 那儿？Where are you going?

• 你 要 去 晚会 吗？Are you going to the party?

• 我 去。Yes. (literally, I'm going.)

With a Verb

Structure

The 'place' can also be some sort of action. The sentence then means "Going to do (something)".

Subject + 去 + Verb

Examples:

• 我 去 工作。I'm going to work.
• 他 去 上课。He is going to class.
• 他们 去 买 衣服。They are going to buy clothes.

See also

• Expressing movement

Sources and further reading

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 106)　[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?
• 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (pp. 455-6) →buy

Expressing movement