HSK 3
V 来／去
V lái／ qù
(complements of direction)
Structure
Verb + 来 / 去
How it works
The directional complements '来' (lái) and '去' (qù) indicate the direction of an action relative to the speaker. '来' is used when the action moves toward the speaker, while '去' is used when the action moves away from the speaker.
Examples
他在外面，你出来吧。
Tā zài wàimiàn, nǐ chūlái ba.
He is outside, please come out.
老师进了教室去。
Lǎoshī jìnle jiàoshì qù.
The teacher went into the classroom.
请把那本书拿过来。
Qǐng bǎ nà běn shū ná guòlái.
Please bring that book over here.
Common mistakes
Placing the destination after '来' or '去' (e.g., saying '回来到家' instead of '回到家里来'). If there is a place word, it must come before '来' or '去'.
Tip
Always imagine where the speaker is standing; if the movement is 'getting closer' to that spot, use '来'.
More HSK 3 grammar
See V 来／去 in real Chinese
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