Using "dao" to mean "to go to"
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Keywords
A simple and direct way to indicate that you or someone is going to a specific place or has arrived at a specific place is to use the verb 到 (dào).
Contents
Place
Structure
The verb 到 (dào) is used to talk about going to places.
Subj. + 到 + Place
Examples
- 他们 已经 到 酒吧 了。 They already got to the bar.
- 我 刚 到 家。 I just got home.
- 你 到 公司 了 吗？ Did you get to the company?
- 我们 先 到 北京 ， 然后 到 香港。 First we'll arrive in Beijing, then in Hong Kong.
- 请 问 这 个 地铁 到 火车站 吗 ？ Excuse me, does this subway go to the train station?
Place and action
Structure
If you are going to a place to do something else, you can add 去 (qù) and the verb. This has the meaning of "going to the place to do something."
Subj. + 到 + Place (+ 去) + Action
Examples
- 明天 我 要 到 南京 路 买 衣服。 I'll go to Nanjing Road to buy clothes.
- 你们 晚上 到 哪儿 吃饭 啊？ Where do you all go to eat food this evening?
- 我 跟 朋友 经常 到 KTV 唱歌 。 I often go to Karaoke to sing songs with friends.
- 今年 春节 我 要 到 女朋友 家 见 她 的 父母 。 This Spring Festival I am going to my girlfriend's house to meet her parents.
- 下 个 月 我 要 到 美国 出差。 Next month I need to go to America on a business trip.
到, 去, and 走
Sometimes it can be hard to figure out exactly which word to use in Chinese to mean "go." 到 (dào) is used when you talk about arriving at a place, emphasizing the destination. 去 (qù) is used when you are going to a place. The exact meaning is "to go," and it emphasizes getting somewhere. 走 (zǒu) is used when talking about "leaving." The emphasis is on getting away from a particular place.
