Difference between revisions of "Using the verb "qu""

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
You can use 去 (qù) for talking about travelling. It's pretty easy to get a handle on this verb. The only trick is getting used to not saying "to" before the destination.
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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.
  
== 去 with just a Place ==
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== 去 (qù)  with Just a Place ==
  
 
The verb 去 (qù) means "to go," and is an easy way to talk about going to places.
 
The verb 去 (qù) means "to go," and is an easy way to talk about going to places.
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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Subject + 去 + Place
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Subj. + 去 + [Place]
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 我 <em>去</em> 学校。<span class="expl">(Present tense 去 often translates most naturally into an "-ing" form in English, expressing intent)</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>qù</em> xuéxiào.</span><span class="trans">I go to school. / I'm going to school.</span>
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* 我 <em>去</em> 公司 。<span class="expl">公司 literally means "company" but is often used to mean "office."</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>qù</em> gōngsī.</span><span class="trans">I'm going to the office.</span>
* 他 <em>去</em> 图书馆 。 <span class="expl">(Present tense 去 often translates most naturally into an "-ing" form in English, expressing intent)</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <em>qù</em> túshūguǎn.</span><span class="trans">He goes to the library. / He's going to the library.</span>
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* <em>去</em> 洗手间 吗?<span class="pinyin"><em>qù</em> xǐshǒujiān ma?</span><span class="trans">Are you going to the restroom?</span>
* 她 <em>去</em> 邮局 。 <span class="expl">(Present tense 去 often translates most naturally into an "-ing" form in English, expressing intent)</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <em>qù</em> yóujú.</span><span class="trans">She goes to the post office. / She's going to the post office.</span>
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* 下午 我 会 <em>去</em> 超市。<span class="pinyin">Xiàwǔ wǒ huì <em>qù</em> chāoshì.</span><span class="trans">In the afternoon, I'll go to the supermarket.</span>
* 我 <em>去</em> 公司 。<span class="expl">(公司 literally means "company" but is often used to mean "office.")</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>qù</em> gōngsī.</span><span class="trans">I'm going to the office.</span>
 
* <em>去</em> 洗手间。<span class="pinyin"><em>qù</em> xǐshǒujiān.</span><span class="trans">I go to the bathroom. / I'm going to the bathroom.</span>
 
* 下午 我 会 <em>去</em> 超市。<span class="expl">(会 is used here to indicate the future.)</span><span class="pinyin">Xiàwǔ wǒ huì <em>qù</em> chāoshì.</span><span class="trans">In the afternoon, I'll go to the supermarket.</span>
 
 
* 我们 现在 <em>去</em> 公园。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen xiànzài <em>qù</em> gōngyuán.</span><span class="trans">We're going to the park now.</span>
 
* 我们 现在 <em>去</em> 公园。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen xiànzài <em>qù</em> gōngyuán.</span><span class="trans">We're going to the park now.</span>
* 晚上 十 点 我们  <em>去</em> 酒吧 。你 去 吗 ?<span class="expl">(Again, expressing intent, using 去 by itself)</span><span class="pinyin">Wǎnshang shí diǎn wǒmen <em>qù</em> jiǔbā. Nǐ qù ma?</span><span class="trans">At 10pm we're going to the bar. Are you going?</span>
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* 晚上 我们  <em>去</em> 酒吧 。你 去 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Wǎnshang wǒmen <em>qù</em> jiǔbā. Nǐ qù ma?</span><span class="trans">Tonight we're going to the bar. Are you going?</span>
* 我们 <em>去</em> 那 个 中国 餐厅 吧。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>qù</em> nàge Zhōngguó cāntīng ba.</span><span class="trans">Let's go to that Chinese restaurant.</span>
 
* 我 想 <em>去</em> 中国。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiǎng <em>qù</em> Zhōngguó.</span><span class="trans">I'd like to go to China.</span>
 
* 我 太太 想 <em>去</em> 泰国。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ tàitai xiǎng <em>qù</em> Tàiguó.</span><span class="trans">My wife would like to go to Thailand.</span>
 
* 昨天 我 <em>去</em> 了 那里。<span class="expl">(了 is used here to express a completed action.)</span><span class="pinyin">Zuótiān wǒ <em>qù</em> le nàlǐ.</span><span class="trans">I went there yesterday.</span>
 
* 去年 我 <em>去</em> 了 北京。<span class="expl">(了 is used here to express a completed action.)</span><span class="pinyin">Qùnián wǒ <em>qù</em> le Běijīng.</span><span class="trans">Last year I went to Beijing.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
You can also use 去 (qù) for [[asking questions]]. (Note the use of question words and question particles.)
 
You can also use 去 (qù) for [[asking questions]]. (Note the use of question words and question particles.)
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
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</ul>
 
</ul>
 
<ul class="dialog">
 
<ul class="dialog">
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 你 <em>去</em> 晚会 <strong>吗</strong>?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>qù</em> wǎnhuì <strong>ma </strong>?</span><span class="trans">Are you going to the party?</span></li>
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<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 <em>去</em> 我 家 <strong>吗</strong>?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>qù</em> wǒ jiā <strong>ma </strong>?</span><span class="trans">Are you going to my place?</span></li>
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 我 <em>去</em>。<span class="expl">(literally, "I'm going.")</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>qù</em>.</span><span class="trans">Yes.</span></li>
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<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 <em>去</em>。<span class="expl">literally, "I'm going."</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>qù</em>.</span><span class="trans">Yes.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
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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.
 
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 ==
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== 去 (qù) 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)."  
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Instead of a place, 去 (qù) can also be followed by some sort of action. The structure then means "go to do (something)," and "go and do (something)."  
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Subject + 去 + Verb
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Subj. + 去 + Verb
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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* 我 <em>去</em> 工作 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>qù</em> gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans">I'm going to work.</span>
 
* 我 <em>去</em> 工作 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>qù</em> gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans">I'm going to work.</span>
 
* 他 <em>去</em> 上课 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>qù</em> shàngkè.</span><span class="trans">He's going to class.</span>
 
* 他 <em>去</em> 上课 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>qù</em> shàngkè.</span><span class="trans">He's going to class.</span>
* 他们 <em>去</em> 买 衣服 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen <em>qù</em> mǎi yīfu.</span><span class="trans">They are going to buy clothes. </span>
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* 你 <em>去</em> 旅行 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ xiǎng <em>qù</em> lǚxíng ma?</span><span class="trans">Would you like to go travel?</span>
* 我 <em>去</em> 看 书 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>qù</em> kànshū.</span><span class="trans">I'm going to (go) read a book.</span>
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* 我们 <em>去</em> 吃饭 吧 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>qù</em> chīfàn ba.</span><span class="trans">Let's go eat.</span>
* 你 <em>去</em> 告诉 他 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>qù</em> gàosu tā.</span><span class="trans">You'll go tell him.</span>
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* 九 点 我们 <em>去</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Jiǔ diǎn wǒmen <em>qù</em> mǎi.</span><span class="trans">At 9 o'clock, we'll go buy it.</span>
* 我 <em>去</em> 做 饭 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>qù</em> zuò fàn.</span><span class="trans">I'll go cook.</span>
 
* 很 多 人 <em>去</em> 看 电影。<span class="pinyin">Hěnduō rén <em>qù</em> kàn diànyǐng.</span><span class="trans">A lot of people are going to watch a movie.</span>
 
* 我 想 <em>去</em> 游泳 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiǎng <em>qù</em> yóuyǒng.</span><span class="trans">I'd like to go swimming.</span>
 
* 我们 <em>去</em> 旅游 吧 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>qù</em> lǚyóu ba.</span><span class="trans">Let's go travel.</span>
 
* 九 点 <em>去</em> 开会 。<span class="pinyin">Jiǔ diǎn <em>qù</em> kāihuì.</span><span class="trans">At 9 o'clock, we'll (go) have the meeting.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
*[[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (p. 106) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sinosplice-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
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* [[现代汉语八百词(增订本)]]  (pp. 455-6) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
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{{Source|HSK Standard Course 1|50}}
* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (p. 67) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|106}}
 +
{{Source|现代汉语八百词(增订本)|455-6}}
 +
{{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|67}}
  
 
[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}}
 
[[Category:Verbs]]
 
[[Category:Verbs]]
 
[[Category:Dialogs]]
 
[[Category:Dialogs]]
{{Basic Grammar|去|A1|去 + (Place)|我 <em>去</em> 学校。|grammar point|ASGFYNCL}}
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{{Basic Grammar|去|A1|去 + Place|我 <em>去</em> 学校。|grammar point|ASGFYNCL}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing movement}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing movement}}
 
{{Similar|To go to a place}}
 
{{Similar|To go to a place}}

Latest revision as of 09:24, 20 April 2021

Chinese-grammar-wiki-qu.jpg

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.

去 (qù) 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

  • 公司 。公司 literally means "company" but is often used to mean "office." gōngsī.I'm going to the office.
  • 洗手间 吗? xǐshǒujiān ma?Are you going to the restroom?
  • 下午 我 会 超市。Xiàwǔ wǒ huì chāoshì.In the afternoon, I'll go to the supermarket.
  • 我们 现在 公园。Wǒmen xiànzài gōngyuán.We're going to the park now.
  • 晚上 我们 酒吧 。你 去 吗 ?Wǎnshang wǒmen jiǔbā. Nǐ qù ma?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: 哪儿 nǎr ?Where are you going?
  • B: 学校 xuéxiào .I am going to school.
  • A: 我 家 wǒ jiā ma ?Are you going to my place?
  • B: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 (qù) with a Verb

Instead of a place, 去 (qù) can also be followed by some sort of action. The structure then means "go to do (something)," and "go and do (something)."

Structure

Subj. + 去 + Verb

Examples

  • 工作 。 gōngzuò.I'm going to work.
  • 上课 。 shàngkè.He's going to class.
  • 你 想 旅行 吗?Nǐ xiǎng lǚxíng ma?Would you like to go travel?
  • 我们 吃饭 吧 。Wǒmen chīfàn ba.Let's go eat.
  • 九 点 我们 买 。Jiǔ diǎn wǒmen mǎi.At 9 o'clock, we'll go buy it.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books