Using the verb "qu"
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Keywords
You can use 去 (qù) whenever you have somewhere to go. It's pretty easy to get a handle on this verb; the only trick is getting used to not needing a word for "to" before the destination.
Contents
去 with just a Place
The verb 去 (qù) means "to go," and is an easy way to talk about going to places.
Structure
Subj. + 去 + [Place]
Notice that you don't need a word to express "to."
Examples
- 我 去 公司 。(公司 literally means "company" but is often used to mean "office.")I'm going to the office.
- 你 去 洗手间 吗？Do you go to the bathroom?/ Are you going to the bathroom?
- 下午 我 会 去 超市。(会 is used here to indicate the future.)In the afternoon, I'll go to the supermarket.
- 我们 现在 去 公园。We're going to the park now.
- 晚上 我们 去 酒吧 。你 去 吗 ？(Again, expressing intent, using 去 by itself)Tonight we're going to the bar. Are you going?
You can also use 去 (qù) for asking questions. (Note the use of question words and question particles.)
- A: 你 去 哪儿 ？Where are you going?
- B: 我 去 学校 。I am going to school.
- B: 你 去 我家 吗？Are you going to my place?
- A: 我 去。(literally, "I'm going.")Yes.
When answering a yes-no question that uses 去 (qù) you don't need anything following it. However, it's important to note that you cannot just use 去 (qù) when there is no context.
去 with a Verb
The "place" can also be some sort of action. The structure then means "go to do (something)," and "go and do (something)."
Structure
Subj. + 去 + Verb
Examples
- 我 去 工作 。I'm going to work.
- 他 去 上课 。He's going to class.
- 你 想 去 旅行 吗？Would you like to go travel?
- 我们 去 吃饭 吧 。Let's go eat.
- 九 点 去 开会 。At 9 o'clock, we'll (go) have the meeting.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (p. 106) →buy
- 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (pp. 455-6) →buy
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (p. 67) →buy
