Using the verb "qu"

Chinese-grammar-wiki-qu.jpg

It's pretty easy to get a handle on the verb 去 (qù).

With just a Place

Structure

The verb 去 means "to go," and is an easy way to talk about going to places.

Subject + 去 + Place

Notice that you don't need a word to express "to."

Examples:

  • 学校。I go to school.
  • 图书馆。He goes to the library.
  • 邮局。She goes to the post office.

You can also use 去 to ask questions. When answering a question that uses 去 you don't need anything following it. However, you cannot just use 去 when there is no context.

  • 那儿Where are you going?

With a Verb

Structure

The 'place' can also be some sort of action. The sentence then means "Going to do (something)".

Subject + 去 + Verb

Examples:

  • 工作。I'm going to work.
  • 上课。He is going to class.
  • 他们 买 衣服。They are going to buy clothes.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Expressing movement