Difference between revisions of "Direction complement"

 
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{{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 to describe the direction of the action of a verb. After the verb which takes the direction complement already has some inherent movement implied, and then adding a direction complement makes clearer where exactly that action is going.
+
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 ==
 
== 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">
Line 73: Line 75:
 
</table>
 
</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."
  
 
=== 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">
*A: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>
+
 
*B: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'm coming up in a few minutes.</span>
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<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>  
 +
<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>
 +
</ul>
 +
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*我 的,<em>下来</em> ! <span class="pinyin">Zài shù shàng wán hěn wéixiǎn, <em>xiàlái</em>!</span><span class="trans">It's too dangerous to play up in the tree! Come down!</span>
 
*楼下 有 咖啡厅 ,我们 <em>下去</em> 聊 吧 。 <span class="pinyin">Lóuxià yǒu kāfēitīng, wǒmen <em>xiàqù</em> liáo bā.</span><span class="trans">There is a cafe downstairs. Let's go downstair and talk.</span>
 
</div>
 
  
<div class="liju">
+
<ul class="dialog">
*A:<em>出来</em> 玩 吧 ,我们 在 酒吧 等 你 。<span class="pinyin">A: <em>Chūlái</em> wán ba, wǒmen zài jiǔbā děng nǐ.</span><span class="trans">A: Come and hang out with us. We'll be waiting in the bar.</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>
*B:我 妈 不 让 我 <em>出去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">B: Wǒ mā bù ràng wǒ <em>chūqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">B: My mother won't let me go out.</span>
+
<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>
</div>
+
</ul>
  
<div class="liju">
 
*A:这 是 我家 ,<em>进来</em> 吧 ,随便 坐 。<span class="pinyin">A: Zhè shì wǒ jiā, <em>jìnlái</em> ba, suíbiàn zuò.</span><span class="trans">A: This is my place. Please come inside. Feel free to take a seat.</span>
 
*B:那 是 你 的 卧室 吗 ?我 能 <em>进去</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">B: Nà shì nǐ de wòshì ma? Wǒ néng <em>jìnqù</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">B: He is waiting for you in his office. You can go in now.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*A:你 下班 了 吗 ?几点 <em>回来</em> 吃饭 ?<span class="trans">A: Are you off work now? When are you coming back for dinner?</span>
 
*B:我 今天 不 <em>回去</em> 吃饭 。<span class="trans">B: I'm not going back home for dinner tonight.</span>
 
</div>
 
 
=== Adding a place with 到 ===
 
  
Direction complements are very useful for talking about arriving at destinations. The structure for this is:
+
<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 class="jiegou">
 
到 + Place + 来 / 去
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Notice that you separate the verb from its direction complement. The location goes in between the two.
+
<div class="liju">
  
A few examples:
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<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>
 +
<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>
 +
</ul>
  
<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>
 
*你 想 <em>到</em> 我家 <em>来</em> 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ xiǎng <em>dào</em> wǒ jiā <em>lái</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Do you want to come to my house?</span>
 
*老板 让 你 马上 <em>到</em> 他 办公室 <em>去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Lǎobǎn ràng nǐ mǎshàng <em>dào</em> tā bàngōngshì <em>qù</em>.</span><span class="trans">The boss is asking you to go over to his office right now.</span>
 
 
</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:
+
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:
  
 
<table class="table big-text table-striped table-bordered">
 
<table class="table big-text table-striped table-bordered">
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<td>回去</td>
 
<td>回去</td>
 
<td>过去</td>
 
<td>过去</td>
<td></td>
+
<td>&nbsp;</td>
 
</tr>
 
</tr>
 
</table>
 
</table>
  
很多学习者习惯说"回来中国","回去美国",都是错的。正确的说法是"回中国来""回美国去",因为"回"才是动词,"来""去"是补语。口语里如果语境比较明确,经常省略"来""去",只说"回中国""回美国"。
+
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.
 
 
These compounds can then be used in the same way as 来 and 去. Attach them to verbs to give detail about the direction of the action.  
 
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
Line 172: Line 169:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*<em>坐 下来</em> 。 <span class="pinyin"><em>zuò xiàlái</em> ba.</span><span class="trans">Please sit down.</span>
+
 
*他们 还没 <em>走 出来</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Tāmen hái méi <em>zǒu chūlái</em>.</span><span class="trans">They haven't walked out yet.</span>
+
*请 站 <em>起来</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Qǐng zhàn <em>qǐlái</em>.</span><span class="trans">Please stand up.</span>
*你 可以 <em>站 起来</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ kěyǐ <em>zhàn qǐlái</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Could you please stand up?</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>
*我们 想 自己 <em>走 下去</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen xiǎng zìjǐ <em>zǒu xiàqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">We'd like to walk down from here by ourselves.</span>
+
*从 我 家 走 <em>过来</em> 要 半 个 小时 。<span class="pinyin">Cóng wǒ 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>
*不要 让 它 <em></em> <em>出去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Bùyào ràng tā <em>pǎo chūqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">Don't let it run out.</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>
*从 我 家 <em>走</em> <em>过来</em> 要 半 个 小时 。<span class="pinyin">Cóng wǒ jiā <em>zǒu guòlái</em> yào bàn gè xiǎoshí.</span> <span class="trans">It took me half an hour to walk here from my place.</span>
+
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
== Direction Complements with Objects ==
 
== 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 what's most important when deciding what complement to use.
+
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.
  
These verbs that commonly appear in this construction include 拿, 送 and 带.
+
=== Structure ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Verb + Object + Complement
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
=== Examples ===
  
 
Some examples:
 
Some examples:
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*可以 带 <em>一些 朋友</em> 来 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Kěyǐ dài le <em>yīxiē péngyou</em> lái ma?</span><span class="trans">Can I bring some friends?</span>
+
*服务员 ,请 再 拿 <strong>几 个 碗</strong> <em></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>
*快点 送 <em>孩子</em> 去 吧 ,别 迟到 了 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ kuàidiǎn sòng <em>háizi</em> qù ba, bié chídào le.</span><span class="trans">Hurry up, take the child there. Don't be late.</span>
+
*快点 送 <strong>孩子</strong> <em>去</em> 吧 ,别 迟到 了 。<span class="pinyin">Kuàidiǎn sòng <strong>háizi</strong> <em>qù</em> ba, bié chídào le.</span><span class="trans">Hurry up, send the kids off. Don't be late.</span>
*师傅 ,再 送 <em>两 桶 水</em> 来 。<span class="pinyin">Shīfu, zài sòng <em>liǎng tǒng shuǐ</em> lái.</span><span class="trans">Shifu, please deliver two more buckets of water.</span>
+
*师傅 ,送 <strong>两 桶 水</strong> <em>来</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>
*他们 从 老家 <em>一些 特产</em> 回来 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen cóng lǎojiā dài le <em>yīxiē tèchǎn</em> huílái.</span><span class="trans">They brought some local goods back from hometown.</span>
+
*可以 <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>
*这儿 的 冬天 太 冷 了,我 需要 你 带 <em>一些 厚衣服</em> 过来 。<span class="pinyin">Zhèr de dōngtiān tài lěng le, wǒ xūyào nǐ dài <em>yīxiē hòu yīfu</em> guòlái.</span><span class="trans">It's too cold here in winter. I need you to bring me some thick clothes.</span>
+
*他们 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>
*你 要 不 要 拿 <em>一点 吃的</em> 过去 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yào bù yào ná <em>yīdiǎn chīde</em> guòqù?</span><span class="trans">Would you like to take some food there?</span>
+
 
*你们 可以 帮 我 拿 <em>一些 书</em> 进去 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen kěyǐ bāng wǒ ná <em>yīxiē shū</em> jìnqù ma?</span><span class="trans">Could you please help me take some books inside?</span>
+
</div>
 +
 
 +
=== 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:
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
<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>
 +
 +
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 with 把 ==
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*<em>把</em> 书 <em>出来</em> 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Bǎ</em> shū <em>chūlái</em>.</span><span class="trans">Please take out your book.</span>
+
*<strong>把</strong> 书 <em>出来</em> 。<span class="pinyin"><strong>Bǎ</strong> shū <em>ná chūlai</em>.</span><span class="trans">Take out your book.</span>
*<em>把</em> 外套 脱 <em>下来</em> 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Bǎ</em> wàitào tuō <em>xiàlái</em> ba.</span><span class="trans">Take off your coat.</span>
+
*<strong>把</strong> <em>举 起来</em> 。<span class="pinyin"><strong>Bǎ</strong> shǒu <em>jǔ qǐlái</em>.</span><span class="trans">Raise your hands.</span>
*你 <em>把</em> 他们 的 礼物 带 <em>过去</em> 了 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>bǎ</em> tāmen de lǐwù dài <em>guòqù</em> le ma?</span><span class="trans">Did you take their presents there?</span>
+
*帮 我 <strong>把</strong> 这个 箱子 <em>过去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Bāng wǒ <strong>bǎ</strong> zhège xiāngzi <em>bān guòqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">Help me move this suitcase over there.</span>
*快递 还没 <em>把</em> 我 的 东西 送 <em>来</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Kuàidì háiméi <em>bǎ</em> wǒ de dōngxi sòng <em>lái</em>.</span><span class="trans">The delivery man hasn't delivered my things yet.</span>
 
*帮 我 <em>把</em> 这个 箱子 <em>过去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Bāng wǒ <em>bǎ</em> zhège xiāngzi bān <em>guòqù</em>.</span><span class="trans">Please help me to move this suitcase over there.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
: ''See also: [[Ba sentence|把 sentences]]''
+
''See also: [[Ba sentence|把 sentences]]''
 +
 
 +
== Converting to Potential Complement ==
  
== Compared with Potential Complement ==
+
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">
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|+Direction and Potential Complements
 
|+Direction and Potential Complements
 
|-
 
|-
! Directional Complement !! Aff. Potential Complement !! Neg. Potential Complement
+
! Direction<br />Complement !! Aff. Potential<br />Complement !! Neg. Potential<br />Complement
 
|-
 
|-
起 来 || <em>得</em> || <em>不</em>
+
回 去 || <em>得</em> || <em>不</em>
 
|-
 
|-
回 去 || <em>得</em> || <em>不</em>
+
过 来 || <em>得</em> || <em>不</em>
 
|-
 
|-
 
|  站 起来 || 站 <em>得</em> 起来 || 站 <em>不</em> 起来  
 
|  站 起来 || 站 <em>得</em> 起来 || 站 <em>不</em> 起来  
 
|-
 
|-
爬 上来 || <em>得</em> 上来 || <em>不</em> 上来
+
走 上去 || <em>得</em> 上去 || <em>不</em> 上去
 
|-
 
|-
|  开 进来 || 开 <em>得</em> 进了 || 开 <em>不</em> 进来
+
|  开 进去 || 开 <em>得</em> 进去 || 开 <em>不</em> 进去
 
|-
 
|-
|  拿 出来 || 拿<em>得</em> 出来 || 拿 <em>不</em> 出来
+
|  拿 出来 || 拿 <em>得</em> 出来 || 拿 <em>不</em> 出来
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 253: Line 273:
 
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]]
+
* [[Direction complement "-qilai"|起来]] (-qǐlái)
* [[Resultative Complement "chu(lai)"|出来]]
+
* [[Advanced result complements|出来]] (-chūlai)
* [[Result complement "xiaqu"|下去]]
+
* [[Result complement "xiaqu"|下去]] (-xiàqù)
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
Line 267: Line 287:
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 3|14, 110, 162}}
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 4下|118}}
 
{{Source|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) |302-17}}  
 
{{Source|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) |302-17}}  
 
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|165}}
 
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|165}}
Line 275: Line 297:
 
{{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课下册)|313-4}}
 
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册)|238-9, 255}}
 
{{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 ===
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Yoyo Chinese: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbY2bNpYd6g Introduction to complement of direction]
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*Yoyo Chinese: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbY2bNpYd6g Introduction to complement of direction]
  
 
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{{Basic Grammar|来|B1|Verb (+ Direction) + 来 / 去|我们 走 <em>过去</em> 吧 。|grammar point|ASG8LWBJ}}
 
{{Basic Grammar|来|B1|Verb (+ Direction) + 来 / 去|我们 走 <em>过去</em> 吧 。|grammar point|ASG8LWBJ}}
 
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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