B1 · Intermediate Chapter 6

Direction and Movement

5 Total Rules
51 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of spatial navigation and persistence in Chinese movement.

  • Describe complex movements relative to the speaker's position.
  • Express the continuation of an ongoing action over time.
  • Use result complements to describe actions that fix or stop objects.
Move through Chinese with precision and flow.

What You'll Learn

Ready to add some serious flow to your Chinese? In this B1 chapter,

Direction and Movement: Navigation and Details,
you're going to master the art of painting vivid pictures with your words, making your sentences sound incredibly natural and precise. Forget just saying go or come—we're diving deep into directional complements like 进来 (jìnlái), 上来 (shànglái), 出去 (chūqù), and 下去 (xiàqù). You'll learn exactly how to describe movement in relation to yourself and others, whether someone is *coming in towards you*, *going up towards you*, *going out and away*, or *continuing an action downwards*. Imagine giving directions like *come up into the house* or saying *please go outside*. But wait, there's more! We'll also unlock the power of the result complement 住 (zhù), which lets you explain when something is *firmly fixed, stopped, or secured*. For instance, how to *tie your shoelaces tight* or *stop the car*—住 makes all the difference! By understanding how these complements connect, you'll upgrade your ability to give crystal-clear instructions, describe dynamic actions with ease, and genuinely sound more like a native speaker. No more vague sentences! After this chapter, you won't just understand movement; you'll *express* it with confidence and flair. Get ready to move your Chinese forward, literally!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to invite someone into a room using correct directional orientation.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to describe an action that is continuing into the future.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to explain when an object has been firmly secured or stopped.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Ready to add some serious flow to your Chinese? In this B1 Chinese grammar chapter, "Direction and Movement: Navigation and Details," you're about to unlock a powerful way to make your sentences sound incredibly natural and precise. At the CEFR B1 level, moving beyond basic vocabulary means mastering how to describe actions in relation to space and the speaker. Forget just saying "go" or "come"—we're diving deep into directional complements like 进来 (jìnlái), 上来 (shànglái), 出去 (chūqù), and 下去 (xiàqù). These aren't just fancy words; they're essential tools that add vivid detail and context to verbs, painting a clear picture of movement.
Understanding these complements allows you to express whether someone is *coming in towards you*, *going up towards you*, *going out and away*, or *continuing an action downwards*. Imagine giving directions like "come up into the house" or saying "please go outside." These nuances are crucial for effective communication in Chinese. But wait, there's more! We'll also unlock the power of the result complement 住 (zhù), which lets you explain when something is *firmly fixed, stopped, or secured*. For instance, how to *tie your shoelaces tight* or *stop the car*—住 (zhù) makes all the difference! By understanding how these complements connect, you'll upgrade your ability to give crystal-clear instructions, describe dynamic actions with ease, and genuinely sound more like a native speaker. No more vague sentences! After this chapter, you won't just understand movement; you'll *express* it with confidence and flair. Get ready to move your Chinese grammar forward, literally!

How This Grammar Works

In Chinese, verbs often combine with directional complements to show both the direction and the relationship to the speaker. This is a cornerstone of B1 Chinese fluency. Let's break down the core components:
Coming In Toward You: 进来 (jìnlái)
This complement indicates movement *into* a place and *towards* the speaker. The verb precedes it.
Example

他跑进来了。(Tā pǎo jìnlái le.) (He ran in.) – Implies he ran into the speaker's location.

Example

请你把书拿进来。(Qǐng nǐ bǎ shū ná jìnlái.) (Please bring the book in.)

Directional Complement: Up Toward Speaker (上来)
上来 (shànglái) describes movement *upwards* and *towards* the speaker.
Example

她走上来了。(Tā zǒu shànglái le.) (She walked up.) – She walked up to where the speaker is.

Example

把那个箱子搬上来。(Bǎ nàge xiāngzi bān shànglái.) (Move that box up here.)

Going Out and Away (出去)
出去 (chūqù) signifies movement *out of* a place and *away* from the speaker.
Example

他开出去了。(Tā kāi chūqù le.) (He drove out.) – He drove out of the speaker's location.

Example

请你把垃圾倒出去。(Qǐng nǐ bǎ lājī dào chūqù.) (Please take the trash out.)

Continuing Action: 'Down Away' (下去)
下去 (xiàqù) indicates movement *downwards* and *away* from the speaker, or often, the continuation of an action.
Example

你可以继续说下去。(Nǐ kěyǐ jìxù shuō xiàqù.) (You can continue speaking.) – Here it means to continue.

Example

孩子们跑下去了。(Háizimen pǎo xiàqù le.) (The children ran down.) – They ran down to a place away from the speaker.

Result Complement '住' (zhù): Fixing things in place
The result complement 住 (zhù) follows a verb and indicates that an action results in something being *fixed, stopped, or held firmly in place*. This is a crucial element for precise expression in Chinese grammar.
Example

我记住了你的电话号码。(Wǒ jì zhù le nǐ de diànhuà hàomǎ.) (I remembered your phone number.) – The number is fixed in memory.

Example

请你站住。(Qǐng nǐ zhàn zhù.) (Please stop standing/stand still.) – The standing action is stopped/held.

Example

把门关住。(Bǎ mén guān zhù.) (Close the door tight.) – The door is closed and secured.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 他进来。(Tā jìnlái.)
✓ Correct: 他进来了。(Tā jìnlái le.)
*Explanation:* Directional complements often combine with aspect particles like 了 (le) to indicate completion of the movement, making the sentence sound natural. Omitting 了 can make it sound incomplete or like a command.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 我把书拿来。(Wǒ bǎ shū ná lái.) (I brought the book.)
✓ Correct: 我把书拿进来了。(Wǒ bǎ shū ná jìnlái le.) OR 我把书拿来了。(Wǒ bǎ shū ná lái le.)
*Explanation:* When using 来 (lái) or 去 (qù) with a verb and an object, the object usually comes *before* the directional complement (拿进来), or the directional complement can be simplified to just 来/去 if the context is clear (e.g., 拿来了). Simply saying 拿来 without a clear direction can be ambiguous.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 我忘记住你的名字。(Wǒ wàngjì zhù nǐ de míngzi.)
✓ Correct: 我没记住你的名字。(Wǒ méi jì zhù nǐ de míngzi.)
*Explanation:* 住 (zhù) typically combines with verbs like 记 (jì - to remember), 抓 (zhuā - to grasp), 站 (zhàn - to stand), 停 (tíng - to stop), etc., to show the result of the action. 忘记 (wàngjì - to forget) already implies a lack of retention, so 住 is not used with it. Instead, you'd use 没记住 (méi jìzhù - didn't remember/retain).

Real Conversations

A

A

你什么时候回来的？(Nǐ shénme shíhou huí lái de?) (When did you come back?)
B

B

我昨天晚上才回来。(Wǒ zuótiān wǎnshang cái huí lái.) (I only came back last night.)
A

A

小心！别让杯子掉下去。(Xiǎoxīn! Bié ràng bēizi diào xiàqù.) (Be careful! Don't let the cup fall down.)
B

B

好的，我抓住了。(Hǎo de, wǒ zhuā zhù le.) (Okay, I've got a firm hold on it.)
A

A

我们可以进去了吗？(Wǒmen kěyǐ jìn qù le ma?) (Can we go in now?)
B

B

请稍等，老师马上就出来。(Qǐng shāoděng, lǎoshī mǎshàng jiù chū lái.) (Please wait a moment, the teacher will come out shortly.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the fundamental difference between 来 (lái) and 去 (qù) in directional complements?

来 (lái) indicates movement *towards* the speaker's current location or perspective, while 去 (qù) indicates movement *away* from the speaker's current location or perspective.

Q

Can 住 (zhù) be used with any verb to mean "stop"?

Not with *any* verb. 住 (zhù) implies stopping an action that is *ongoing* (e.g., 站住 - stop standing, 停住 - stop moving) or securing/fixing something as a result of an action (e.g., 记住 - remember firmly, 抓住 - grasp firmly). It doesn't typically combine with verbs that already imply a single, non-continuous action or a state.

Q

How do I know if I should use a simple directional complement (来/去) or a compound one (上来/下去)?

Use a compound directional complement (上来, 下去, 进来, 出去, etc.) when you want to specify both the *direction* (up, down, in, out) and the *relation to the speaker* (来 for towards, 去 for away). Simple 来/去 is often used when the direction (e.g., up/down) is already clear from context or the main verb, or when the verb itself implies direction (e.g., 回家来 - come home, 出去 - go out). Compound forms are more explicit.

Cultural Context

These directional and result complements are incredibly pervasive in everyday Chinese. Native speakers use them constantly to convey precise movement and states, often without conscious thought. Mastering them is key to sounding natural and avoiding misunderstandings, especially when giving or following directions. They reflect a linguistic tendency to be very specific about spatial relationships and the outcome of actions, making conversations much more vivid and clear. This level of detail is a hallmark of conversational fluency in B1 Chinese.

Key Examples (8)

1

请记住我的建议。

Please remember my suggestion.

Result Complement '住' (zhù): Fixing things in place
2

他紧紧地抓住了扶手。

He grabbed the handrail tightly.

Result Complement '住' (zhù): Fixing things in place
3

我在楼顶，你{上来}吧。

I'm on the roof, come on up.

Directional Complement: Up Toward Speaker (上来)
4

快递员把我的包裹{送上来了}。

The delivery guy brought my package up.

Directional Complement: Up Toward Speaker (上来)
5

快进来，外面很冷！

Come in quick, it's cold outside!

Coming In Toward You: 进来 (jìnlái)
6

老师走进教室来了。

The teacher walked into the classroom (where I am).

Coming In Toward You: 进来 (jìnlái)
7

{我刚把快递寄出去。|Wǒ gāng bǎ kuàidì jì chūqù.}

I just sent out the package.

Going Out and Away (出去)
8

{老师走出了教室去。|Lǎoshī zǒu chū le jiàoshì qù.}

The teacher walked out of the classroom.

Going Out and Away (出去)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Check the logic

Ask yourself: does this action result in something stopping or staying?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Result Complement '住' (zhù): Fixing things in place
💡

Speaker Perspective

Always ask: 'Am I at the destination?' If yes, use 来.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Directional Complement: Up Toward Speaker (上来)
💡

Check your position

Always ask: 'Am I inside?' If yes, use '进来'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Coming In Toward You: 进来 (jìnlái)
💡

Speaker Perspective

Always ask: Am I inside or outside?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Going Out and Away (出去)

Key Vocabulary (6)

搬 (bān) to move (heavy objects/house) 拿 (ná) to take/hold 坚持 (jiānchí) to persist/insist 记 (jì) to remember/note down 停 (tíng) to stop 跑 (pǎo) to run

Real-World Preview

truck

Helping a Friend Move

Review Summary

  • Verb + 进来 (jìnlái)
  • Verb + 上来 (shànglái)
  • Verb + 出去 (chūqù)
  • Verb + 下去 (xiàqù)
  • Verb + 住 (zhù)

Common Mistakes

When there is a place object, it must be placed between 'jìn' and 'lái/qù'. You cannot put the object after the whole complement.

Wrong: 他走进房间来 (tā zǒu jìn fángjiān lái)
Correct: 他走进房间来了 / 他进房间来了 (tā jìn fángjiān lái le)

Students often confuse physical ability with the 'xiàqù' complement, which specifically implies continuation or tolerance of an action.

Wrong: 我听不下去 (wǒ tīng bú xiàqù) meaning 'I can't hear it'.
Correct: 我听不下去 (wǒ tīng bú xiàqù) meaning 'I can't stand listening anymore'.

Don't confuse the verb 'zhù' (to live) with the complement 'zhù' (fixed). The complement follows another verb to show stability.

Wrong: 我住在北京 (wǒ zhù zài Běijīng) used as a result complement.
Correct: 我记住你的名字 (wǒ jìzhù nǐ de míngzi)

Next Steps

You've just unlocked a major level of fluency. Describing movement naturally is what separates intermediate learners from beginners. Keep moving forward!

Narrate your walk through your house using directional complements.

Write 5 things you want to '坚持下去' (persist in) this year.

Continue to: Logic, Reasons, and Suggestions

Quick Practice (10)

Fill in the blank.

请___住这个地址。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 记
记住 means to remember.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Result Complement '住' (zhù): Fixing things in place

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他说下去
Complement follows verb.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Continuing Action: 'Down Away' (xiàqù)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

他走进去 (I am inside).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他走进来
Speaker is inside, so use 'Lai'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Coming In Toward You: 进来 (jìnlái)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

他不跑上来。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他没跑上来
Use 没 for past.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Directional Complement: Up Toward Speaker (上来)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

他把秘密说出。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他把秘密说出去
Need full complement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Going Out and Away (出去)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他走进房间来
Object must be between the complement parts.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Coming In Toward You: 进来 (jìnlái)

Fill in the blank.

他跑___了。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 上来
Movement toward speaker.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Directional Complement: Up Toward Speaker (上来)

Fill in the blank.

他一直___下去。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 跑下去
Needs the complement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Continuing Action: 'Down Away' (xiàqù)

Fill in the blank.

他跑___来了。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 进
Verb + 进 + Location + 来.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Coming In Toward You: 进来 (jìnlái)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

下去他跑。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他跑下去
Verb first.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Continuing Action: 'Down Away' (xiàqù)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

No, only verbs that result in a fixed state.
It is often neutral, but can be 4th tone.
Mostly verbs of motion. Abstract verbs like 'recall' (想) also work.
上来 is toward the speaker; 上去 is away.
You can, but it sounds like a command or is very formal. '进来' is much more natural.
Use '进去' (go in) instead of '进来' (come in).
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