Result complement "-xiaqu"
-
Level
-
Similar to
-
Used for
-
Keywords
下去 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.
Subject + Verb + 下去
Subject + Verb + 不 + 下去
Some examples:
- 不 能 一直 这样 做 下去。You can't keep doing it like this.
- 这 个 菜 很 难吃 － 我 吃 不 下去。This food is disgusting. I can't keep eating it.
- 我 走 不 下去了 － 把 我 留下 吧！I can't keep walking. Leave me behind!
See also
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) →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
