Moving Toward or Away: Directional Complements (来/去)
来) or away from (去) the speaker.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use {来|lái} for movement toward the speaker and {去|qù} for movement away from the speaker.
- Use {来|lái} when the action moves toward you: {他|tā} {回|huí} {来|lái} {了|le} (He came back).
- Use {去|qù} when the action moves away from you: {他|tā} {回|huí} {去|qù} {了|le} (He went back).
- Place the complement immediately after the main verb: {走|zǒu} {来|lái} (walk here).
Overview
Chinese directional complements 来 (lái) and 去 (qù) are essential grammatical elements that specify the direction of movement relative to the speaker's current location or perspective. These complements attach to verbs, transforming a simple action into one with a clear spatial trajectory. 来 consistently indicates movement towards the speaker (or the speaker's perceived location), while 去 signifies movement away from the speaker.
Mastering this system at an A1 level allows you to communicate movement with precision, avoiding ambiguity and making your spoken Chinese sound significantly more natural and native-like.
Unlike English, where direction might be implied or stated separately, Chinese integrates this information directly into the verb phrase. This linguistic feature reflects a speaker-centric approach to describing actions, providing the listener with immediate context about where the action is headed. Understanding this fundamental concept is the gateway to effectively describing physical movement, giving instructions, and engaging in everyday conversations about locations and journeys.
How This Grammar Works
来 or 去 is judged based on whether it moves closer to or further from this anchor point. The main verb describes what kind of action is taking place (e.g., walking, running, entering, taking), and 来 or 去 then adds the crucial spatial information.来(lái): Movement Towards the Speaker
来 when the action's trajectory is directed towards your present location. This means the subject of the verb is either approaching you, arriving at your spot, or bringing something to you. Think of yourself as a magnet, and 来 describes anything being pulled in your direction.- Example: If you are inside a room, and someone walks into that room to join you, you would describe their action using
进来(jìnlái – come in). The movement is towards your location inside the room. - Example: If a friend is bringing a book for you, you would say
带来(dàilái – bring over). The book is moving towards you.
去(qù): Movement Away from the Speaker
去 when the action's trajectory is directed away from your present location. This applies when someone is leaving your location, moving further from you, or taking something away from you. Imagine yourself as a starting point, and 去 describes anything moving outwards from you.- Example: If you are inside a room and someone walks out of it, you would describe their action using
出去(chūqù – go out). The movement is away from your location inside the room. - Example: If you are taking a book away from your friend, you would say
拿去(náqù – take away). The book is moving away from your friend's location.
Formation Pattern
来 and 去 follows specific, predictable patterns. Understanding these structures is key to constructing grammatically correct sentences.
Verb + 来/去
进 (jìn - enter) + 来 (lái) = 进来 (jìnlái - come in)
出 (chū - exit) + 去 (qù) = 出去 (chūqù - go out)
上 (shàng - ascend) + 来 (lái) = 上来 (shànglái - come up)
下 (xià - descend) + 去 (xiàqù - go down)
请你进来。 (Qǐng nǐ jìnlái. - Please come in [towards me].)
他下去了。 (Tā xiàqù le. - He went down [away from me].)
Verb + Location Noun + 来/去
来 or 去. This is a critical rule and a common point of error for learners.
Verb + Place Noun + 来/去
我回学校来。 (Wǒ huí xuéxiào lái. - I came back from school [to my home, where I am now]).
我回学校去。 (Wǒ huí xuéxiào qù. - I go back to school [away from my home].)
进 (jìn) | 房间 (fángjiān) | 来 (lái) | 进房间来 | jìn fángjiān lái | come into the room (towards the speaker) |
出 (chū) | 门 (mén) | 去 (qù) | 出门去 | chū mén qù | go out of the door (away from the speaker) |
回 (huí) | 家 (jiā) | 来 (lái) | 回家来 | huí jiā lái | come back home (towards the speaker) |
回 (huí) | 宿舍 (sùshè) | 去 (qù) | 回宿舍去 | huí sùshè qù | go back to the dorm (away from the speaker) |
Verb + 来/去 + Object
Verb + 来/去 + Object
你把书带来。 (Nǐ bǎ shū dàilái. - You bring the book over [to me].)
我把行李拿去。 (Wǒ bǎ xíngli náqù. - I take the luggage away [from here].)
带 (dài) | 来 (lái) | 钱 (qián) | 带来钱 | dàilái qián | bring money (towards the speaker) |
拿 (ná) | 去 (qù) | 包 (bāo) | 拿去包 | náqù bāo | take a bag (away from the speaker) |
来/去, especially with specific verbs or in more advanced contexts. However, for A1, consistently placing the object after the directional complement will cover most situations and prevent errors.
When To Use It
来/去 in the following contexts:- Describing Physical Movement of People: This is the most straightforward application, indicating where someone is moving relative to you.
- Example:
我的朋友跑过来了。(Wǒ de péngyǒu pǎo guòlái le. - My friend ran over [towards me].) - Example:
他走出去了。(Tā zǒu chūqù le. - He walked out [away from me].)
- Giving Directions or Invitations: When you want to guide someone's movement or invite them to join you,
来/去is indispensable. - Example:
你上楼来吧。(Nǐ shànglóu lái ba. - Come upstairs [to where I am].) - Example:
请你把椅子搬过去。(Qǐng nǐ bǎ yǐzi bān guòqù. - Please move the chair over there [away from me].)
- Discussing the Movement of Objects: Just as with people,
来/去specifies the direction of objects being moved, brought, or taken. - Example:
我把你的书带来了。(Wǒ bǎ nǐ de shū dàilái le. - I brought your book [to you].) - Example:
请你把垃圾扔出去。(Qǐng nǐ bǎ lājī rēng chūqù. - Please throw the trash out [away from here].)
- Politeness and Social Interaction: Using
来can soften an invitation or make a request sound more inviting, as it implies shared space or a welcome. - Example:
请进来坐。(Qǐng jìnlái zuò. - Please come in and sit [inviting someone into your space].) - Simply saying
请进(Qǐng jìn - Please enter) is grammatically correct but lacks the warmth and direct invitation implied by进来.
- Expressing Completion or Arrival (Contextually): While primarily directional, in certain contexts, the use of
来can emphasize the arrival or completion of movement towards a point. - Example:
他走到我家来了。(Tā zǒudào wǒ jiā lái le. - He walked all the way to my house [and arrived here].)
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect Placement of Location Nouns: This is arguably the most frequent error for A1 learners. English speakers often put the destination after the verb phrase, leading to structures like
*回去了学校(huíqù le xuéxiào). This is grammatically incorrect in Chinese for this pattern. - Incorrect:
我回去学校。(Wǒ huíqù xuéxiào.) - Correct:
我回学校去。(Wǒ huí xuéxiào qù. - I go back to school [away from my current location].) - The Principle: Remember the rule:
Verb + Location Noun + 来/去. The location acts as an intermediary, specifying where the action is directed before the final来/去indicates the movement relative to the speaker.
- Confusing Main Verb
去with Directional Complement去:去can function both as a standalone verb meaning
Directional Complement Formation
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + 来/去
|
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {来|lái} {了|le}
|
|
Negative
|
没 + Verb + 来/去
|
{他|tā} {没|méi} {走|zǒu} {来|lái}
|
|
Question
|
Verb + 来/去 + 吗?
|
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {来|lái} {吗|ma}?
|
|
Object (Place)
|
Verb + 来/去 + Place
|
{他|tā} {回|huí} {来|lái} {家|jiā} {了|le}
|
|
Object (Thing)
|
Verb + 来/去 + Thing
|
{他|tā} {买|mǎi} {来|lái} {苹|píng} {果|guǒ} {了|le}
|
|
Potential
|
Verb + 得/不 + 来/去
|
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {得|de} {来|lái}
|
Meanings
These particles specify the direction of an action relative to the speaker's current position.
Physical Motion
Literal movement toward or away from the speaker.
“{他|tā} {跑|pǎo} {来|lái} {了|le}。”
“{他|tā} {跑|pǎo} {去|qù} {了|le}。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + 来/去
|
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {来|lái}
|
|
Negative
|
没 + Verb + 来/去
|
{他|tā} {没|méi} {走|zǒu} {来|lái}
|
|
Yes/No Question
|
Verb + 来/去 + 吗
|
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {来|lái} {吗|ma}?
|
|
A-not-A Question
|
Verb + 来/去 + 不 + 来/去
|
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {来|lái} {不|bù} {来|lái}?
|
|
With Object
|
Verb + 来/去 + Object
|
{他|tā} {拿|ná} {来|lái} {书|shū}
|
|
Completed Action
|
Verb + 来/去 + 了
|
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {来|lái} {了|le}
|
Formality Spectrum
{请|qǐng} {过|guò} {来|lái}。 (Calling someone)
{你|nǐ} {过|guò} {来|lái}。 (Calling someone)
{快|kuài} {过|guò} {来|lái}！ (Calling someone)
{过|guò} {来|lái} {啊|a}！ (Calling someone)
Directional Logic
Toward
- {来|lái} Come
Away
- {去|qù} Go
Examples by Level
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {来|lái} {了|le}。
He walked here.
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {去|qù} {了|le}。
He walked away.
{快|kuài} {进|jìn} {来|lái}！
Come in quickly!
{请|qǐng} {拿|ná} {来|lái}。
Please bring it here.
{你|nǐ} {什|shén} {么|me} {时|shí} {候|hou} {回|huí} {来|lái}？
When are you coming back?
{他|tā} {没|méi} {跑|pǎo} {去|qù}。
He didn't run away.
{请|qǐng} {把|bǎ} {书|shū} {拿|ná} {去|qù}。
Please take the book away.
{他|tā} {买|mǎi} {回|huí} {来|lái} {了|le} {一|yī} {个|gè} {苹|píng} {果|guǒ}。
He bought an apple back here.
{他|tā} {从|cóng} {外|wài} {面|miàn} {跑|pǎo} {进|jìn} {来|lái} {了|le}。
He ran in from outside.
{这|zhè} {个|gè} {消|xiāo} {息|xi} {传|chuán} {出|chū} {去|qù} {了|le}。
This news has spread out.
{我|wǒ} {想|xiǎng} {把|bǎ} {这|zhè} {些|xiē} {东|dōng} {西|xi} {搬|bān} {走|zǒu} {去|qù}。
I want to move these things away.
{他|tā} {没|méi} {有|yǒu} {走|zǒu} {进|jìn} {来|lái} {看|kàn} {我|wǒ}。
He didn't come in to see me.
{他|tā} {把|bǎ} {那|nà} {个|gè} {主|zhǔ} {意|yì} {提|tí} {出|chū} {来|lái} {了|le}。
He brought up that idea.
{这|zhè} {件|jiàn} {事|shì} {情|qing} {发|fā} {展|zhǎn} {下|xià} {去|qù} {会|huì} {很|hěn} {糟|zāo} {糕|gāo}。
If this matter continues to develop, it will be terrible.
{他|tā} {把|bǎ} {真|zhēn} {相|xiàng} {说|shuō} {出|chū} {来|lái} {了|le}。
He revealed the truth.
{我|wǒ} {看|kàn} {不|bù} {出|chū} {来|lái} {他|tā} {在|zài} {想|xiǎng} {什|shén} {么|me}。
I can't tell what he is thinking.
{他|tā} {把|bǎ} {那|nà} {本|běn} {书|shū} {翻|fān} {出|chū} {来|lái} {了|le}。
He dug out that book.
{这|zhè} {种|zhǒng} {情|qíng} {况|kuàng} {不|bù} {能|néng} {再|zài} {持|chí} {续|xù} {下|xià} {去|qù} {了|le}。
This situation cannot continue any longer.
{他|tā} {把|bǎ} {心|xīn} {里|lǐ} {的|de} {话|huà} {都|dōu} {掏|tāo} {出|chū} {来|lái} {了|le}。
He poured out his heart.
{这|zhè} {个|gè} {计|jì} {划|huà} {实|shí} {行|xíng} {下|xià} {去|qù} {有|yǒu} {很|hěn} {多|duō} {困|kùn} {难|nán}。
There are many difficulties in continuing to implement this plan.
{他|tā} {把|bǎ} {那|nà} {段|duàn} {历|lì} {史|shǐ} {挖|wā} {掘|jué} {出|chū} {来|lái} {了|le}。
He excavated that piece of history.
{这|zhè} {种|zhǒng} {思|sī} {潮|cháo} {蔓|màn} {延|yán} {开|kāi} {来|lái} {了|le}。
This trend of thought has spread.
{他|tā} {把|bǎ} {那|nà} {个|gè} {问|wèn} {题|tí} {归|guī} {纳|nà} {出|chū} {来|lái} {了|le}。
He summarized the problem.
{这|zhè} {项|xiàng} {改|gǎi} {革|gé} {推|tuī} {进|jìn} {下|xià} {去|qù} {需|xū} {要|yào} {勇|yǒng} {气|qì}。
Pushing this reform forward requires courage.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up the perspective.
Learners put {来|lái} before the verb.
Where to put {了|le} with complements.
Common Mistakes
{他|tā} {回|huí} {了|le}。
{他|tā} {回|huí} {来|lái} {了|le}。
{他|tā} {来|lái} {走|zǒu}。
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {来|lái}。
{他|tā} {不|bù} {走|zǒu} {来|lái}。
{他|tā} {没|méi} {走|zǒu} {来|lái}。
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {去|qù} {我|wǒ} {家|jiā}。
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {来|lái} {我|wǒ} {家|jiā}。
{他|tā} {买|mǎi} {来|lái} {书|shū} {了|le}。
{他|tā} {把|bǎ} {书|shū} {买|mǎi} {来|lái} {了|le}。
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {来|lái} {去|qù}。
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} {来|lái} {或|huò} {走|zǒu} {去|qù}。
{他|tā} {回|huí} {来|lái} {了|le} {吗|ma}？
{他|tā} {回|huí} {来|lái} {了|le} {吗|ma}？
{他|tā} {跑|pǎo} {进|jìn} {了|le} {来|lái}。
{他|tā} {跑|pǎo} {进|jìn} {来|lái} {了|le}。
{他|tā} {想|xiǎng} {把|bǎ} {事|shì} {情|qing} {做|zuò} {下|xià} {去|qù}。
{他|tā} {想|xiǎng} {把|bǎ} {事|shì} {情|qing} {做|zuò} {下|xià} {去|qù}。
{他|tā} {看|kàn} {出|chū} {了|le} {来|lái}。
{他|tā} {看|kàn} {出|chū} {来|lái} {了|le}。
{他|tā} {把|bǎ} {真|zhēn} {相|xiàng} {说|shuō} {去|qù} {了|le}。
{他|tā} {把|bǎ} {真|zhēn} {相|xiàng} {说|shuō} {出|chū} {来|lái} {了|le}。
{这|zhè} {个|gè} {计|jì} {划|huà} {推|tuī} {进|jìn} {来|lái} {很|hěn} {难|nán}。
{这|zhè} {个|gè} {计|jì} {划|huà} {推|tuī} {进|jìn} {下|xià} {去|qù} {很|hěn} {难|nán}。
{他|tā} {把|bǎ} {那|nà} {段|duàn} {历|lì} {史|shǐ} {挖|wā} {进|jìn} {来|lái} {了|le}。
{他|tā} {把|bǎ} {那|nà} {段|duàn} {历|lì} {史|shǐ} {挖|wā} {出|chū} {来|lái} {了|le}。
Sentence Patterns
{他|tā} ___ {来|lái} {了|le}。
{请|qǐng} {把|bǎ} {书|shū} ___ {去|qù}。
{这|zhè} {件|jiàn} {事|shì} {情|qing} {能|néng} ___ {下|xià} {去|qù} {吗|ma}？
{我|wǒ} {看|kàn} ___ {来|lái} {他|tā} {很|hěn} {累|lèi}。
Real World Usage
{请|qǐng} {送|sòng} {来|lái} {我|wǒ} {的|de} {公|gōng} {寓|yù}。
{你|nǐ} {什|shén} {么|me} {时|shí} {候|hou} {回|huí} {来|lái}？
{这|zhè} {辆|liàng} {车|chē} {开|kāi} {去|qù} {哪|nǎ} {里|lǐ}？
{请|qǐng} {把|bǎ} {文|wén} {件|jiàn} {拿|ná} {过|guò} {来|lái}。
{大|dà} {家|jiā} {都|dōu} {跑|pǎo} {过|guò} {来|lái} {看|kàn} {了|le}。
{我|wǒ} {希|xī} {望|wàng} {这|zhè} {个|gè} {项|xiàng} {目|mù} {能|néng} {推|tuī} {进|jìn} {下|xià} {去|qù}。
Perspective is Key
Don't Forget the Complement
Use with {把|bǎ}
Politeness
Smart Tips
Always ask 'Toward me?' first.
The complement is almost mandatory.
Keep your perspective consistent.
Think of the movement metaphorically.
Pronunciation
Neutral Tone
In many cases, {来|lái} and {去|qù} are pronounced with a neutral tone when they follow a verb.
Command
{快|kuài} {进|jìn} {来|lái}↓
Falling intonation for a firm command.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'L' for 'Lái' (Like 'Landing' here) and 'Q' for 'Qù' (Quickly leaving).
Visual Association
Imagine a magnet. {来|lái} is the magnet pulling things toward you. {去|qù} is the magnet pushing things away.
Rhyme
Lái is toward, Qù is away, use them both every single day!
Story
You are at home. Your friend calls. They say 'I am coming (来) to your house.' You say 'Great, bring (拿来) some pizza.' After they leave, you say 'They went (去) home.'
Word Web
Challenge
For the next 5 minutes, narrate your movements in Chinese: '{我|wǒ} {走|zǒu} {来|lái} {厨|chú} {房|fáng}' (I walk to the kitchen).
Cultural Notes
Directional complements are used very strictly in formal settings to avoid ambiguity.
Similar to Mainland, but sometimes {来|lái} is used more frequently in casual speech.
The structure is similar, but the choice of verbs can be influenced by local dialectal patterns.
These particles were originally independent verbs of motion that grammaticalized into directional markers.
Conversation Starters
{你|nǐ} {什|shén} {么|me} {时|shí} {候|hou} {回|huí} {来|lái}？
{你|nǐ} {能|néng} {把|bǎ} {书|shū} {拿|ná} {过|guò} {来|lái} {吗|ma}？
{你|nǐ} {觉|jué} {得|de} {这|zhè} {个|gè} {计|jì} {划|huà} {能|néng} {实|shí} {行|xíng} {下|xià} {去|qù} {吗|ma}？
{你|nǐ} {怎|zěn} {么|me} {看|kàn} {出|chū} {来|lái} {他|tā} {在|zài} {撒|sā} {谎|huǎng} {的|de}？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
{他|tā} {走|zǒu} ___ {了|le} (toward me).
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
{他|tā} {回|huí} {了|le}。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
He ran away.
Answer starts with: {他|...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
{他|tā} + {进|jìn} + {来|lái} + {了|le}
{他|tā} ___ {走|zǒu} {来|lái}.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises{他|tā} {走|zǒu} ___ {了|le} (toward me).
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
{他|tā} {回|huí} {了|le}。
{书|shū} / {拿|ná} / {来|lái} / {把|bǎ}
He ran away.
{走|zǒu} + ?
{他|tā} + {进|jìn} + {来|lái} + {了|le}
{他|tā} ___ {走|zǒu} {来|lái}.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesBring the book here.
Choose the right phrase:
我回___去。
他进来办公室。
Go up.
Which one is correct?
别出___！
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Mostly with verbs of motion like {走|zǒu}, {跑|pǎo}, {回|huí}, {进|jìn}, {出|chū}.
Usually, the speaker is the default reference point. If you are telling a story, the perspective is the narrator's.
Yes, it means movement toward the speaker.
Not as a complement to the same verb, but you can use them in separate clauses.
Because directional complements often imply a completed action or a specific event, requiring {没|méi}.
For beginners, yes. For advanced learners, it can sometimes go between the verb and complement.
Yes, they are essential for clear spatial description.
Narrate your own movements throughout the day.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Venir/Ir
In Chinese, they are attached to the verb as a complement.
Venir/Aller
Chinese complements are suffixes.
Her/Hin
German particles are often prefixes, while Chinese are suffixes.
Kuru/Iku
Japanese uses the te-form, Chinese uses the base verb.
Ja'a/Dhahaba
Arabic lacks the complement structure entirely.
来/去
N/A
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
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