Using "dao" to mean "to go to"

A simple and direct way to indicate that you arrived somewhere is to use the verb 到 (dào).

Structure for place

The verb 到 (dào) is used to talk about going to places.

Subject + 到 + Place

Examples

• 我 到 上海。I arrived at Shanghai.
• 你 到 哪儿？Where did you get to?
• 他们 到 酒吧。They got to the bar

Structure for place and action

If you are going to a place to do something else, you can add 去 and the verb. This has the meaning of "going to the place to do something."

Subject + 到 + Place + 去 + Action

Examples

• 我 到 中国 去 学习 中文。TRANSLATION
• 你 到 那儿 去 做 什么？TRANSLATION
• 他们 要 到 酒吧 去 喝 酒。TRANSLATION

See also

• Using "zai" with verbs
• Complements with "dao", "gei" and "zai"
• "From… To…" with "cong… dao…"

Sources and further reading

Books

• 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册） (pp. 200)
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 72) →buy