Using the verb "qu"

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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 (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.
  • B: 我 家 wǒ jiā ma ?Are you going to my place?
  • A: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