Result complement "-xiaqu"

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

• 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