Difference between revisions of "Direction complement"

 
(159 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
 
{{AKA|趋向补语 (qūxiàng bǔyǔ)|directional complement|complement of direction}}
 
{{AKA|趋向补语 (qūxiàng bǔyǔ)|directional complement|complement of direction}}
  
A ''direction complement'' is a [[complement]] that's used, you guessed it, to describe the direction of a verb.
+
A direction complement is a [[complement]] used to describe the direction of a verb. Verbs often already have some inherent movement implied, but by adding a direction complement, it becomes clearer where, exactly, that action is going.
  
== Coming and going ==
+
== Simple Direction Complement ==
  
The most basic (and common) form of direction complement is formed by a verb and 来 or 去:
+
The most basic (and common) form of direction complement is formed by a verb and 来 or 去.
 +
 
 +
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
Verb + 来 /
Verb + 来 or
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
The most important thing to consider with direction complements is '''the position of the speaker'''. If the action moves towards the speaker or comes closer in any way, use 来. If the action moves away from the speaker or becomes more distant in any way, use 去.
 
The most important thing to consider with direction complements is '''the position of the speaker'''. If the action moves towards the speaker or comes closer in any way, use 来. If the action moves away from the speaker or becomes more distant in any way, use 去.
  
<div class="liju">
+
<table class="table big-text table-striped table-bordered">
 
+
<tr>
{| class="wikitable" style="width:48em"
+
<th style="width:15%">Verb</th>
|+Direction complement examples
+
<th style="width:25%">+ Complement</th>
|-
+
<th style="width:60%">Explanation</th>
! !! Direction !! Verb !! Complement !! Explanation
+
</tr>
|-
+
<tr>
|rowspan="8"|<span class="spaced">Position of speaker</span>
+
<td></td>
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''←'''</span> || 下 || 下来 || <span class="spaced">(xiàlái) The movement is down towards the speaker: "come down"</span>
+
<td>下来<span class="pinyin">xiàlái</span></td>
|-
+
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is down towards the speaker: "come down"</span></td>
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''→'''</span> || 下 || 下去 || <span class="spaced">(xiàqù) The movement is down away from the speaker: "go down"</span>
+
</tr>
|-
+
<tr>
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''←'''</span> || 上 || 上来 || <span class="spaced">(shànglái) The movement is up towards the speaker: "come up"</span>
+
<td>下</td>
|-
+
<td>下去<span class="pinyin">xiàqù</span></td>
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''→'''</span> || 上 || 上去 || <span class="spaced">(shàngqù) The movement is up and away from the speaker: "go up"</span>
+
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is down away from the speaker: "go down"</span></td>
|-
+
</tr>
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''←'''</span> || 出 || 出来 || <span class="spaced">(chūlái) The movement is out and towards the speaker: "come out"</span>
+
<tr>
|-
+
<td>上</td>
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''→'''</span> || 出 || 出去 || <span class="spaced">(chūqù) The movement is out and away from the speaker: "go out"</span>
+
<td>上来<span class="pinyin">shànglái</span></td>
|-
+
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is up towards the speaker: "come up"</span></td>
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''←'''</span> || 进 || 进来 || <span class="spaced">(jìnlái) The movement is in and towards the speaker: "come in"</span>
+
</tr>
|-
+
<tr>
| <span style="font-size:xx-large;">'''→'''</span> || 进 || 进去 || <span class="spaced">(jìnqù) The movement is in and away from the speaker: "go in"</span>
+
<td>上</td>
|}
+
<td>上去<span class="pinyin">shàngqù</span></td>
 
+
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is up and away from the speaker: "go up"</span></td>
</div>
+
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>出</td>
 +
<td>出来<span class="pinyin">chūlái</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is out and towards the speaker: "come out"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>出</td>
 +
<td>出去<span class="pinyin">chūqù</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is out and away from the speaker: "go out"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>进</td>
 +
<td>进来<span class="pinyin">jìnlái</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is in and towards the speaker: "come in"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>进</td>
 +
<td>进去<span class="pinyin">jìnqù</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is in and away from the speaker: "go in"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>回</td>
 +
<td>回来<span class="pinyin">huílái</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is towards the speaker: "come back"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>回</td>
 +
<td>回去<span class="pinyin">huíqù</span></td>
 +
<td><span class="spaced">The movement is away from the speaker: "go back"</span></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
  
You might be wondering how the directional distinction between 来 and 去 works when you're talking about yourself moving. You can't move away from or towards yourself, so should it be 来 or 去? The answer is to look at the context of the movement you're talking about. Are you telling someone you'll see them tomorrow? As in English, in Chinese you'd say something like "I'll come and see you tomorrow".
+
You might be wondering how the directional distinction between 来 and 去 works when you're talking about yourself moving. You can't move away from or towards yourself, so should it be 来 or 去? The answer is to look at the context of the movement you're talking about. Are you telling someone you'll see them tomorrow? Similar to English, in Chinese you'd say something like "I'll come and see you tomorrow."
  
=== Usage examples ===
+
=== Examples ===
  
You can use these simple compounds in a huge variety of situations. Here are some examples:
+
You can use these simple compounds in a huge variety of situations. Here are some example dialogs to provide a little more context:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 在 楼上,请 你十分钟以后<em>上来</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài lóu shàng, qǐng shí fēnzhōng yǐhòu <em>shànglái</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm on the upper floor. Please come up in ten minutes.</span>
+
<ul class="dialog">
* 在树上 玩 很 危险,你 快<em>下来</em>!<span class="pinyin">Zài shù shàng wán hěn wéixiǎn, nǐ kuài <em>xiàlái</em>!</span><span class="trans">It's too dangerous to play in the tree! Come down!</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 我 在 楼上 ,你 <em>上来</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài lóushàng, nǐ <em>shànglái</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm on the upper floor. Come up to me.</span></li>  
* 你在楼上等我一下。我一会儿就 <em>上去</em>找你。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zài lóu shàng děng wǒ yīxià. Wǒ yīhuǐ'er jiù <em>shàngqù</em> zhǎo nǐ.</span><span class="trans">Please wait a moment on the upper floor. I'm coming up to you in a few seconds.</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 你 在 楼上 等 我 一下 。我 一会儿 就 <em>上去</em> <span class="pinyin">Nǐ zài lóushàng děng wǒ yīxià. Wǒ yīhuìr jiù <em>shàngqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">Please wait a moment on the upper floor. I'll come up in a few minutes.</span></li>
*  我在楼下,你赶快 <em>下来</em>吧。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài lóu xià, nǐ gǎnkuài <em>xiàlái</em> ba.</span><span class="trans">I'm on the lower floor. Please come down to me.</span>
+
</ul>
 
 
* 里面 人太多了,你们 <em>出来</em>透透气吧。<span class="pinyin">Lǐmiàn rén tài duō le, nǐmen <em>chūlái</em> tòu tòuqì ba.</span><span class="trans">There are too many people inside there.You guys need to get out and use some fresh air.</span>
 
* 我们 在 里面 开会, 大家都 <em>进来</em>吧。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen zài lǐmiàn kāihuì, dàjiā dōu <em>jìnlái</em> ba.</span><span class="trans">We are going to have a meeting inside.Please come in here.</span>
 
* 他们 在 外面,咱们 <em>出去</em> 跟 他们 见面。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen zài wàimiàn, zánmen <em>chūqù</em> gēn tāmen jiànmiàn.</span><span class="trans">They are outside. We should go out and meet them.</span>
 
* 他 在 办公室里 等你,你 快<em>进去</em> 吧。<span class="pinyin">Tā zài bàngōngshì lǐ děng nǐ, nǐ kuài <em>jìnqù</em> ba.</span><span class="trans">He is waiting for you in his office.You can go in now.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
=== With other verbs ===
 
 
来 and 去 can form direction compounds with many other verbs. Some more examples:
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 你 什么时候 <em>回来</em> ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ shénme shíhòu <em>huílái</em>?</span><span class="trans">When are you coming back?</span>
+
<ul class="dialog">
* 他 明天 一个人<em>回去</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā míngtiān yī gè rén <em>huíqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">He is going back alone tomorrow.</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> <em>出来</em> 玩 吧 ,我们 在 酒吧 等 你 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Chūlái</em> wán ba, wǒmen zài jiǔbā děng nǐ.</span><span class="trans">Come and hang out with us. We'll be waiting in the bar.</span></li>
 
+
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 妈 不 让 我 <em>出去</em> <span class="pinyin">Wǒ mā bù ràng wǒ <em>chūqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">My mother won't let me go out.</span></li>
* 你 <em>过来</em>把你的东西收拾好。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>guòlái</em> bǎ nǐ de dōngxī shōushí hǎo.</span><span class="trans">Come here and put away you own stuff.</span>
+
</ul>
* 看到 马路对面 新开了 一家 蛋糕店,就 走 <em>过去</em> 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ kàn dào mǎlù duìmiàn xīn kāi le yījiā dàngāo diàn, jiù zǒu <em>guòqù</em> le.</span><span class="trans">I saw a new cake shop on the other side of the road and then I went up to it.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Adding a place with 到 ===
+
<div class="liju">
 
 
Direction complements are very useful for talking about arriving at destinations. The structure for this is:
 
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
  
到 + place + 来 or 去
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 这 是 我家 ,<em>进来</em> 吧 ,随便 坐 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì wǒ jiā, <em>jìnlái</em> ba, suíbiàn zuò.</span><span class="trans">This is my house. Please come inside. Feel free to take a seat.</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 那 是 你 的 卧室 吗 ?我 能 <em>进去</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nà shì nǐ de wòshì ma? Wǒ néng <em>jìnqù</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Is that your bedroom? Can I go in?</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
Notice that you separate the verb from its direction complement. The location goes in between the two. Some examples:
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 妹妹 <em>到</em> 上海 <em>来</em> 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ mèimei <em>dào</em> Shànghǎi <em>lái</em> le.</span><span class="trans">My sister arrived in Shanghai.</span>
+
<ul class="dialog">
* <em></em> 我家 <em>来</em> 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ xiǎng <em>dào</em> wǒjiā <em>lái</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Do you want to come to my house?</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 下班 了 吗 ?几点 <em>回来</em> 吃饭 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ xiàbān le ma? Jǐ diǎn <em>huílái</em> chīfàn?</span><span class="trans">Are you off work now? When are you coming back for dinner?</span></li>
* 我 明年 会 <em></em> 巴黎 <em></em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ míngnián huì <em>dào</em> Bālí <em>qù</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm going to Paris next year.</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 今天 不 <em>回去</em> 吃饭 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ jīntiān bù <em>huíqù</em> chīfàn.</span><span class="trans">I'm not going back home for dinner today.</span></li>
* 他 没有 <em>到</em> 中国 <em>去</em> 过。<span class="pinyin">Tā méiyǒu <em>dào</em> Zhōngguó <em>qù</em> guò.</span><span class="trans">He hasn't gone to China.</span>
+
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Compound direction complements ==
+
== Compound Direction Complements ==
 
 
Direction complements can be more complex than just 来 or 去. You can form compound direction complements in the following way:
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="width:32em"
 
|+Compound direction complements
 
|-
 
! !! 上 !! 下 !! 进 !! 出 !! 回 !! 过 !! 起
 
|-
 
| 来 || 上来 || 下来 || 进来 || 出来 || 回来 || 过来 || 起来
 
|-
 
| 去 || 上去 || 下去 || 进去 || 出去 || 回去 || 过去 || -
 
|}
 
 
 
</div>
 
  
These compounds can then be used in the same way as and 去. Attach them to verbs to give detail about the direction of the action. Some examples:
+
Direction complements can be more complex than just or 去.
  
<div class="liju">
+
=== Forming Compound Direction Complements ===
  
{| class="wikitable" style="width:32em"
+
You can form compound direction complements in the following way:
|+Compound direction complement examples
 
|-
 
! Subject !! Verb !! <em>Direction complement</em> !! Pinyin
 
|-
 
| 你 || 坐 || <em>下来</em>。 || <span class="spaced">Nǐ zuò <em>xiàlái</em>.</span>
 
|-
 
| 他 || 走 || <em>进来</em>。 || <span class="spaced">Tā zǒu <em>jìnlái</em>.</span>
 
|-
 
| 她 || 坐飞机 || <em>回来</em> 。|| <span class="spaced">Tā zuò fēijī <em>huílái</em>.</span>
 
|-
 
| 我们 || 走 || <em>出来</em>。 || <span class="spaced">Wǒmen zǒu <em>chūlái</em>.</span>
 
|-
 
| 你 || 跑步 || <em>过来</em> 。|| <span class="spaced">Nǐ pǎobù <em>guòlái</em>.</span>
 
|-
 
| 你们 || 站 || <em>起来</em> 。|| <span class="spaced">Nǐmen zhàn <em>qǐlái</em>.</span>
 
|-
 
| 咱们 || 走 || <em>下去</em>  。||<span class="spaced">Zánmen zǒu <em>xiàqù</em>.</span>
 
|}
 
  
</div>
+
<table class="table big-text table-striped table-bordered">
 +
<tr>
 +
<th style="width:15%"></th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">上</th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">下</th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">进</th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">出</th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">回</th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">过</th>
 +
<th style="width:10%">起</th>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>来</td>
 +
<td>上来</td>
 +
<td>下来</td>
 +
<td>进来</td>
 +
<td>出来</td>
 +
<td>回来</td>
 +
<td>过来</td>
 +
<td>起来</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>去</td>
 +
<td>上去</td>
 +
<td>下去</td>
 +
<td>进去</td>
 +
<td>出去</td>
 +
<td>回去</td>
 +
<td>过去</td>
 +
<td>&nbsp;</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
  
== Direction complements and objects ==
+
These compounds can then be used in much the same way as 来 and 去. Attach them to verbs to give detail about the direction of the action.
  
Direction complements are not only used to describe the movement of people. Moving objects can also be described with direction complements. Again, the direction of the movement relative to the speaker (or at least to the context of the conversation) is what's most important when deciding what complement to use.
+
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
Verb + [Compound Direction Complement]
Subject + verb + direction complement + object
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
This is the structure for the basic form of a sentence with a direction complement and an object. Verbs that commonly appear in this construction include 拿, 送, and 带. Some examples:
+
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 带 来 了 <em>一 些 水果</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ dài lái le <em>yī xiē shuǐguǒ</em>.</span><span class="trans">I brought some fruit.</span>
+
*请 站 <em>起来</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Qǐng zhàn <em>qǐlái</em>.</span><span class="trans">Please stand up.</span>
* 我 从 书架 上 拿 下来 <em>一 本 书</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ cóng shūjià shàng ná xiàlái <em>yī běn shū</em>.</span><span class="trans">I took a book down from the bookshelf.</span>
+
*不要 让 它 跑 <em>出去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Bùyào ràng tā pǎo <em>chūqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">Don't let it run out.</span>
* 他 给 送 来 了 <em>一 朵 花</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā gěi sòng lái le <em>yī duǒ huā</em>.</span><span class="trans">He gave me some flowers.</span>
+
*家 走 <em>过来</em> 要 半 个 小时 。<span class="pinyin">Cóng jiā zǒu <em>guòlái</em> yào bàn gè xiǎoshí.</span> <span class="trans">It took me half an hour to walk here from my place.</span>
* 放 下 你的 <em></em><span class="pinyin">Fàngxià nǐ de <em>qiāng</em>!</span><span class="trans">Put down your gun!</span>
+
*你 包里 的 东西 都 拿 <em>出来</em> 了 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ bāo lǐ de dōngxi dōu ná <em>chūlái</em> le ma?</span><span class="trans">Did you take all your stuff out of your bag?</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Direction complements and 把 ===
+
== Direction Complements with Objects ==
  
Direction complements work very well in [[Ba sentence|把 sentences]], as they can be used to describe the disposal of an object (what happened to it in the end). Because of this, it's very common to see direction complements and 把 appearing together. The structure is:
+
Direction complements are not only used to describe the movement of people. Moving objects can also be described with direction complements. Again, the direction of the movement relative to the speaker (or at least to the context of the conversation) is important when deciding what complement to use.
  
<div class="jiegou">
+
The verbs that commonly appear in this construction include 拿, 送, and 带.
  
Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + Direction complement
+
=== Structure ===
  
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Verb + Object + Complement
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
The above examples can be re-arranged into 把 sentences:
+
=== Examples ===
 +
 
 +
Some examples:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* <em></em> 一 些 水果 带 <em>来</em> 了。<span class="pinyin"><em></em> yī xiē shuǐguǒ dài <em>lái</em> le.</span>
+
*服务员 ,请 再 拿 <strong>几 个 碗</strong> <em>来</em> <span class="pinyin">Fúwùyuán, qǐng zài ná <strong>jǐ gè wǎn</strong> <em>lái</em>.</span><span class="trans">Waiter, please bring a few more bowls.</span>
* <em></em> 一 本 书 从 书架 上 拿 <em>下来</em> 了。<span class="pinyin"><em></em> yī běn shū cóng shūjià shàng ná <em>xiàlái</em> le.</span>
+
*快点 送 <strong>孩子</strong> <em></em> 吧 ,别 迟到 了 。<span class="pinyin">Kuàidiǎn sòng <strong>háizi</strong> <em></em> ba, bié chídào le.</span><span class="trans">Hurry up, send the  kids off. Don't be late.</span>
* <em></em> 一 朵 花 给 我 送 <em></em> 了。<span class="pinyin"><em></em> yī duǒ huā gěi wǒ sòng <em></em> le.</span>
+
*师傅 ,送 <strong>两 桶 水</strong> <em></em> <span class="pinyin">Shīfu, sòng <strong>liǎng tǒng shuǐ</strong> <em>lái</em>.</span><span class="trans">Shifu, please deliver two buckets of water.</span>
* <em></em> 你的 手枪 放 <em>下来</em><span class="pinyin"><em></em> nǐ de shǒuqiāng fàng <em>xiàlái</em>!</span>
+
*可以 带 <strong>朋友</strong> <em>过来</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Kěyǐ dài <strong>péngyou</strong> <em>guòlái</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Can I bring some friends over?</span>
 +
*他们 带 了 <strong>一些 礼物</strong> <em>回去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen dài le <strong>yīxiē lǐwù</strong> <em>huíqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">They took some presents back with them.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
: ''See also: [[Ba sentence|把 sentences]]''
+
=== Common Mistakes ===
  
== Negating direction complements ==
+
Although 回来 and 回去 can be compound complements, they can each also just be the verb 回 with a simple direction complement. Many Chinese learners make the following mistakes:
  
Direction complements are negated in the same way as other complements. Treat the verb and direction complement as a compound verb, and negate it with 不 or 没有:
+
<div class="liju">
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
  
Subject + 不 or 没有 + Verb + Direction complement
+
<ul>
 +
<li class="x">回来中国<span class="pinyin">huílai Zhōngguó</span></li>
 +
<li class="o">回中国来<span class="pinyin">huí Zhōngguó lái</span><span class="trans">come back to China</span></li>
 +
<li class="x">回去美国<span class="pinyin">huíqu Měiguó</span></li>
 +
<li class="o">回美国去<span class="pinyin">huí Měiguó qù</span><span class="trans">go back to the USA</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Some examples:
+
You can't say 回来中国 because 回 is the verb, 来 is the complement, and 中国 is the object. You can't put both a complement and an object after a single verb, but it's OK to put just a 来 or 去 after the object. In spoken language, if the context is clear, people often omit 来 or 去 and only say 回美国 or 回中国.
 +
 
 +
== Direction Complements with 把 ==
  
<div class="liju">
+
Direction complements work very well in [[Ba sentence|把 sentences]], as they can be used to describe the disposal of an object (what happened to it in the end). Because of this, it's very common to see direction complements and 把 appearing together.
  
* 我 <em>不会</em> 回 <em>去</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bù huì</em> huí <em>qù</em>.</span><span class="trans">I cannot go back.</span>
+
=== Structure ===
* 文件 还 <em>没有</em> 送 <em>过来</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wénjiàn hái <em>méiyǒu</em> sòng <em>guòlái</em>.</span><span class="trans">The document still has not arrived.</span>
 
* 他的车还 <em>没有</em> 开 <em>回来</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā de jū hái <em>méiyǒu</em> kāi <em>huílái</em>.</span><span class="trans">His car hasn't been driven back yet.</span>
 
  
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + 把 + Obj. + Verb + [Direction Complement]
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Direction complements in questions ==
+
=== Examples ===
 
 
You can form questions with sentences containing result complements just as you would with any other sentence:
 
 
 
* With a question particle
 
* With a question word
 
* With positive-negative inversion
 
 
 
Some examples:
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 你 到 上海 来 了 <em></em>?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ dào Shànghǎi lái le <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Have you arrived at Shanghai?</span>
+
*<strong></strong> <em>拿 出来</em> <span class="pinyin"><strong></strong> shū <em>ná chūlai</em>.</span><span class="trans">Take out your book.</span>
* 这 个 楼 很 高 - 你 能 上去 <em>吗</em>?<span class="pinyin">Zhè gè lóu hěn gāo - nǐ néng shàngqù <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">This building is very tall, are you able to go up?</span>
+
*<strong></strong> <em>举 起来</em> <span class="pinyin"><strong></strong> shǒu <em>jǔ qǐlái</em>.</span><span class="trans">Raise your hands.</span>
 
+
*帮 我 <strong></strong> 这个 箱子 <em>搬 过去</em> <span class="pinyin">Bāng wǒ <strong></strong> zhège xiāngzi <em>bān guòqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">Help me move this suitcase over there.</span>
* 刚才 从 那 个 楼房 出来 的 人 是 <em></em>?<span class="pinyin">Gāngcái cóng nà gè lóufáng chūlái de rén shì <em>shuí</em>?</span><span class="trans">Who is that person who just came out of that building?</span>
 
* 你 <em>什么 时候</em> 会 回来?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>shénme shíhòu</em> huì huílái?</span><span class="trans">When will you come back?</span>
 
 
 
* <em>想 不想</em> 跟 我 出去?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>xiǎng bùxiǎng</em> gēn wǒ chūqù?</span><span class="trans">Do you want to go out with me?</span>
 
* 你 <em>能 不能</em> 把 这 个 盒子 拿 起来?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>néng bùnéng</em> bǎ zhè gè hézi ná qǐlái?</span><span class="trans">Are you able to pick up this box?</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Direction complements with aspect particles ==
+
''See also: [[Ba sentence|把 sentences]]''
  
The [[aspect particles]] 了 and 过 can be used with direction complements. These are placed after the direction complement. 着 cannot be used with direction complements.
+
== Converting to Potential Complement ==
  
Some examples:
+
Adding 得 to directional complements makes the phrase an affirmative potential complement. Adding 不 makes the phrase a negative potential complement.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 回来 <em>了</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ huílái <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">I came back.</span>
+
{| class="wikitable" style="width:40em"
* 他 走 出来 <em></em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā zǒu chūlái <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">He walked out (towards the speaker).</span>
+
|+Direction and Potential Complements
* 我 带来 <em></em> 我的 朋友。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ dài lái <em>le</em> wǒ de péngyǒu.</span><span class="trans">I brought my friend.</span>
+
|-
 
+
! Direction<br />Complement !! Aff. Potential<br />Complement !! Neg. Potential<br />Complement
* 离开 中国 以后,他 没有 回来 <em></em>。<span class="pinyin">Líkāi Zhōngguó yǐhòu, tā méiyǒu huílái <em>guò</em>.</span><span class="trans">After leaving China, he hasn't come back.</span>
+
|-
* 我 在 上海 出去 <em></em> 几 次。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài Shànghǎi chūqù <em>guò</em> jǐ cì.</span><span class="trans">I've gone to Shanghai a number of times.</span>
+
|  回 去 || 回 <em></em> 去 || 回 <em></em>
* 我 没 进去 <em></em> 那 间 房间。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ méi jìnqù <em>guò</em> nà jiān fángjiān.</span><span class="trans">I haven't gone in that room.</span>
+
|-
 +
|  过 来 || 过 <em></em> 来 || 过 <em></em>
 +
|-
 +
|  站 起来 || 站 <em></em> 起来 || 站 <em></em> 起来
 +
|-
 +
|  走 上去 || 走 <em></em> 上去 || 走 <em></em> 上去
 +
|-
 +
|  开 进去 || 开 <em></em> 进去 || 开 <em></em> 进去
 +
|-
 +
|  拿 出来 || 拿 <em></em> 出来 || 拿 <em></em> 出来
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Additional meanings of direction complements ==
+
== Additional Meanings ==
  
 
A lot of direction complements, particularly compound direction complements, have additional idiomatic meanings beyond literally describing the direction of an action. The most common of these are:
 
A lot of direction complements, particularly compound direction complements, have additional idiomatic meanings beyond literally describing the direction of an action. The most common of these are:
* [[Result complement "-qilai"|起来]]
 
* [[Resultative Complement "chu(lai)"|出来]]
 
* [[Result complement "xiaqu"|下去]]
 
  
===See also===
+
* [[Direction complement "-qilai"|起来]] (-qǐlái)
 +
* [[Advanced result complements|出来]] (-chūlai)
 +
* [[Result complement "xiaqu"|下去]] (-xiàqù)
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
 
 
* [[Result complement]]
 
* [[Result complement]]
 
* [[Potential complement]]
 
* [[Potential complement]]
Line 264: Line 287:
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) ]] (pp. 302-17) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 3|14, 110, 162}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 165) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 4下|118}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 185-9) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276709/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276709 →buy]
+
{{Source|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) |302-17}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1]] (pp. 267-8) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276792/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276792 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|165}}
* [[Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar]] (pp. 58-65) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520066103?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0520066103 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|185-9}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)]] (pp. 40-1, 197-8) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561911297/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561911297 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1|267-8}}
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册)]] (pp. 313-4)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]
+
{{Source|Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar|58-65}}
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册)]] (pp. 238-9, 255)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)|40-1, 197-8}}
 +
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册)|313-4}}
 +
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册)|238-9, 255}}
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 5上|90}}
  
 
=== Websites ===
 
=== Websites ===
Line 277: Line 303:
 
* Mandarin Essential Grammar (Yale): [http://comet.cls.yale.edu/mandarin/content/directional/grammar/direction.htm Directional Complements]
 
* Mandarin Essential Grammar (Yale): [http://comet.cls.yale.edu/mandarin/content/directional/grammar/direction.htm Directional Complements]
  
===Videos===
+
=== Videos ===
 
 
Yoyo Chinese: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbY2bNpYd6g Introduction to complement of direction]
 
  
 +
*Yoyo Chinese: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbY2bNpYd6g Introduction to complement of direction]
  
 
[[Category:Complements]]
 
[[Category:Complements]]
{{Basic Grammar|来|B1|V (+ Direction) + 来 / 去|我们 走 <em></em>吧。|grammar point|ASG8LWBJ}}
+
[[Category:Table]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK3}}
 +
{{HSK|HSK4}}
 +
{{Basic Grammar|来|B1|Verb (+ Direction) + 来 / 去|我们 走 <em>过去</em> 吧 。|grammar point|ASG8LWBJ}}
 
{{Rel char|去}}
 
{{Rel char|去}}
 
{{Rel char|下}}
 
{{Rel char|下}}
Line 291: Line 319:
 
{{Rel char|进}}
 
{{Rel char|进}}
 
{{Rel char|到}}
 
{{Rel char|到}}
{{Rel char|}}
+
{{Rel char|上来}}
{{Rel char|}}
+
{{Rel char|上去}}
 +
{{Rel char|下来}}
 +
{{Rel char|下去}}
 +
{{Rel char|出来}}
 +
{{Rel char|出去}}
 +
{{Rel char|回来}}
 +
{{Rel char|回去}}
 +
{{Rel char|进去}}
 +
{{Rel char|进来}}
 +
{{Rel char|过来}}
 +
{{Rel char|过去}}
 
{{Similar|Result complement}}
 
{{Similar|Result complement}}
 
{{Similar|Degree complement}}
 
{{Similar|Degree complement}}
 
{{Similar|Potential complement}}
 
{{Similar|Potential complement}}
{{Similar|Further Uses of Resultative Complement "qilai"}}
+
{{Similar|Advanced uses of result complement "-qilai"}}
 
{{Similar|Ba sentence}}
 
{{Similar|Ba sentence}}
 
{{Similar|Bei sentence}}
 
{{Similar|Bei sentence}}
{{Similar|Result complement "-qilai"}}
+
{{Similar|Direction complement "-qilai"}}
{{Similar|Result complement "xiaqu"}}
 
{{Similar|Result Complement "chu(lai)"}}
 
 
{{Used for|Expressing movement}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing movement}}
 
{{Used for|Describing places}}
 
{{Used for|Describing places}}

Latest revision as of 03:11, 29 December 2020

Also known as: 趋向补语 (qūxiàng bǔyǔ), directional complement and complement of direction.

A direction complement is a complement used to describe the direction of a verb. Verbs often already have some inherent movement implied, but by adding a direction complement, it becomes clearer where, exactly, that action is going.

Simple Direction Complement

The most basic (and common) form of direction complement is formed by a verb and 来 or 去.

Structure

Verb + 来 / 去

The most important thing to consider with direction complements is the position of the speaker. If the action moves towards the speaker or comes closer in any way, use 来. If the action moves away from the speaker or becomes more distant in any way, use 去.

Verb + Complement Explanation
下来xiàlái The movement is down towards the speaker: "come down"
下去xiàqù The movement is down away from the speaker: "go down"
上来shànglái The movement is up towards the speaker: "come up"
上去shàngqù The movement is up and away from the speaker: "go up"
出来chūlái The movement is out and towards the speaker: "come out"
出去chūqù The movement is out and away from the speaker: "go out"
进来jìnlái The movement is in and towards the speaker: "come in"
进去jìnqù The movement is in and away from the speaker: "go in"
回来huílái The movement is towards the speaker: "come back"
回去huíqù The movement is away from the speaker: "go back"

You might be wondering how the directional distinction between 来 and 去 works when you're talking about yourself moving. You can't move away from or towards yourself, so should it be 来 or 去? The answer is to look at the context of the movement you're talking about. Are you telling someone you'll see them tomorrow? Similar to English, in Chinese you'd say something like "I'll come and see you tomorrow."

Examples

You can use these simple compounds in a huge variety of situations. Here are some example dialogs to provide a little more context:

  • A: 我 在 楼上 ,你 上来Wǒ zài lóushàng, nǐ shànglái.I'm on the upper floor. Come up to me.
  • B: 你 在 楼上 等 我 一下 。我 一会儿 就 上去Nǐ zài lóushàng děng wǒ yīxià. Wǒ yīhuìr jiù shàngqù.Please wait a moment on the upper floor. I'll come up in a few minutes.
  • A: 出来 玩 吧 ,我们 在 酒吧 等 你 。Chūlái wán ba, wǒmen zài jiǔbā děng nǐ.Come and hang out with us. We'll be waiting in the bar.
  • B: 我 妈 不 让 我 出去Wǒ mā bù ràng wǒ chūqù.My mother won't let me go out.
  • A: 这 是 我家 ,进来 吧 ,随便 坐 。Zhè shì wǒ jiā, jìnlái ba, suíbiàn zuò.This is my house. Please come inside. Feel free to take a seat.
  • B: 那 是 你 的 卧室 吗 ?我 能 进去 吗 ?Nà shì nǐ de wòshì ma? Wǒ néng jìnqù ma?Is that your bedroom? Can I go in?
  • A: 你 下班 了 吗 ?几点 回来 吃饭 ?Nǐ xiàbān le ma? Jǐ diǎn huílái chīfàn?Are you off work now? When are you coming back for dinner?
  • B: 我 今天 不 回去 吃饭 。Wǒ jīntiān bù huíqù chīfàn.I'm not going back home for dinner today.

Compound Direction Complements

Direction complements can be more complex than just 来 or 去.

Forming Compound Direction Complements

You can form compound direction complements in the following way:

上来 下来 进来 出来 回来 过来 起来
上去 下去 进去 出去 回去 过去  

These compounds can then be used in much the same way as 来 and 去. Attach them to verbs to give detail about the direction of the action.

Structure

Verb + [Compound Direction Complement]

Examples

  • 请 站 起来Qǐng zhàn qǐlái.Please stand up.
  • 不要 让 它 跑 出去Bùyào ràng tā pǎo chūqù.Don't let it run out.
  • 从 我 家 走 过来 要 半 个 小时 。Cóng wǒ jiā zǒu guòlái yào bàn gè xiǎoshí. It took me half an hour to walk here from my place.
  • 你 包里 的 东西 都 拿 出来 了 吗 ?Nǐ bāo lǐ de dōngxi dōu ná chūlái le ma?Did you take all your stuff out of your bag?

Direction Complements with Objects

Direction complements are not only used to describe the movement of people. Moving objects can also be described with direction complements. Again, the direction of the movement relative to the speaker (or at least to the context of the conversation) is important when deciding what complement to use.

The verbs that commonly appear in this construction include 拿, 送, and 带.

Structure

Verb + Object + Complement

Examples

Some examples:

  • 服务员 ,请 再 拿 几 个 碗 Fúwùyuán, qǐng zài ná jǐ gè wǎn lái.Waiter, please bring a few more bowls.
  • 快点 送 孩子 吧 ,别 迟到 了 。Kuàidiǎn sòng háizi ba, bié chídào le.Hurry up, send the kids off. Don't be late.
  • 师傅 ,送 两 桶 水 Shīfu, sòng liǎng tǒng shuǐ lái.Shifu, please deliver two buckets of water.
  • 可以 带 朋友 过来 吗 ?Kěyǐ dài péngyou guòlái ma?Can I bring some friends over?
  • 他们 带 了 一些 礼物 回去Tāmen dài le yīxiē lǐwù huíqù.They took some presents back with them.

Common Mistakes

Although 回来 and 回去 can be compound complements, they can each also just be the verb 回 with a simple direction complement. Many Chinese learners make the following mistakes:

  • 回来中国huílai Zhōngguó
  • 回中国来huí Zhōngguó láicome back to China
  • 回去美国huíqu Měiguó
  • 回美国去huí Měiguó qùgo back to the USA

You can't say 回来中国 because 回 is the verb, 来 is the complement, and 中国 is the object. You can't put both a complement and an object after a single verb, but it's OK to put just a 来 or 去 after the object. In spoken language, if the context is clear, people often omit 来 or 去 and only say 回美国 or 回中国.

Direction Complements with 把

Direction complements work very well in 把 sentences, as they can be used to describe the disposal of an object (what happened to it in the end). Because of this, it's very common to see direction complements and 把 appearing together.

Structure

Subj. + 把 + Obj. + Verb + [Direction Complement]

Examples

  • 拿 出来 shū ná chūlai.Take out your book.
  • 举 起来 shǒu jǔ qǐlái.Raise your hands.
  • 帮 我 这个 箱子 搬 过去Bāng wǒ zhège xiāngzi bān guòqù.Help me move this suitcase over there.

See also: 把 sentences

Converting to Potential Complement

Adding 得 to directional complements makes the phrase an affirmative potential complement. Adding 不 makes the phrase a negative potential complement.

Direction and Potential Complements
Direction
Complement
Aff. Potential
Complement
Neg. Potential
Complement
回 去
过 来
站 起来 起来 起来
走 上去 上去 上去
开 进去 进去 进去
拿 出来 出来 出来

Additional Meanings

A lot of direction complements, particularly compound direction complements, have additional idiomatic meanings beyond literally describing the direction of an action. The most common of these are:

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

Videos