B2 Complement System 14 min read Easy

Result Complement 出来 (chūlái) for Recognition

Use Verb + 出来 when an action leads to recognizing or identifying something previously unclear.

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use {出来|chūlái} after a sensory verb to show you have successfully identified or recognized something.

  • Attach {出来|chūlái} to sensory verbs like {看|kàn} (see) or {听|tīng} (hear).
  • It indicates a transition from not knowing to knowing: {我听出来他是谁了|Wǒ tīng chūlái tā shì shéi le} (I recognized who he is).
  • Use the negative form {看不出来|kàn bù chūlái} to say you cannot identify something.
Verb + 出来 (chūlái) = Successful Identification

Overview

In Chinese, verbs often describe an action, but to convey the result of that action, you need a complement. The result complement 出来 (chūlái) is one of the most versatile and important for intermediate learners to master. While its literal meaning is "to come out," as in 他从房间里走出来了 (tā cóng fángjiān lǐ zǒu chūlái le - He walked out of the room), its grammatical function extends this physical idea into the abstract realm of cognition and perception.

Think of 出来 as signifying emergence or revelation. It marks the moment when something hidden, latent, unclear, or non-existent becomes perceived, identified, or created. It’s the bridge between simply performing an action (like looking or listening) and achieving a specific cognitive outcome: recognition.

If you hear a sound, you 听到 (tīngdào). But if you recognize that sound as your friend's voice, you 听出来 (tīng chūlái). The voice "comes out" from the undifferentiated noise.

This pattern is crucial for expressing two main types of results:

  1. 1Identification and Recognition: Successfully discerning a specific identity, quality, or detail through one of the senses. This is about extracting information that is present but not immediately obvious.
  2. 2Creation and Production: Bringing something new into existence through a mental process, like thinking up a plan or figuring out a solution. The idea "comes out" of your mind.

Mastering 出来 allows you to move beyond describing simple actions and start expressing nuanced results of perception and thought, a key skill at the B2 level.

How This Grammar Works

At its core, 出来 functions as a resultative suffix that transforms the meaning of the verb it follows. The verb represents the process (e.g., looking, tasting, thinking), while 出来 signals the successful result of that process leading to emergence or identification. Without the complement, the action is incomplete or its result is unknown.
Consider the verb (kàn), to look. On its own, it only describes the action of directing your eyes. When you add a complement, you define the result:
  • 看见 (kànjiàn): You successfully perceived something (the light hit your retina).
  • 看懂 (kàndǒng): You understood the meaning of what you saw (e.g., a text).
  • 看出来 (kàn chūlái): You discerned a hidden detail or identity through the act of looking.
出来 operates on a principle of extraction. Imagine a complex sauce. The action of tasting is (cháng).
If you successfully identify the taste of ginger in it, that flavor has been mentally "extracted" from the other ingredients. You can then say, 我尝出来了,里面有姜味 (Wǒ cháng chūlái le, lǐmiàn yǒu jiāng wèi - I tasted it, there's ginger flavor inside). The identity of the ginger flavor "came out" to your perception.
This applies equally to cognitive verbs. The verb (xiǎng) means "to think." This is a continuous process. When an idea is finally formed and becomes a concrete solution, it has "come out" of the process of thinking.
Hence, 我想出来一个好办法 (Wǒ xiǎng chūlái le yīgè hǎo bànfǎ - I've thought up a good solution). The solution is the emergent result.
The grammar works by attaching 出来 directly to a verb, creating a new, more specific verb compound that carries the meaning of "[Action]-and-reveal" or "[Action]-and-create." This compound then functions as a single unit within the sentence.

Formation Pattern

1
Understanding the structure of 出来 in positive, negative, and potential forms is essential. The pattern is consistent with other result complements.
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Core Verb-Complement Structures
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Here are the fundamental patterns. Note how the potential form inserts (de) or (bu) between the verb and the complement.
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| Type | Structure | Example Sentence | Pinyin & Translation |
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|---|---|---|---|
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| Affirmative | Verb + 出来了 | 他是谁,我看出来了。 | Tā shì shéi, wǒ kàn chūlái le. (I've figured out who he is.) |
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| Negative (Past) | 没(有) + Verb + 出来 | 这首歌我没听出来。 | Zhè shǒu gē wǒ méi tīng chūlái. (I didn't recognize this song.) |
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| Potential Affirmative | Verb + + 出来 | 你感觉得出来差别吗? | Nǐ gǎnjué de chūlái chābié ma? (Can you feel the difference?) |
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| Potential Negative | Verb + + 出来 | 这两张图我看不出区别。| Zhè liǎng zhāng tú wǒ kàn bu chūlái qūbié. (I can't see the difference between these two pictures.) |
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Object Placement
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Handling objects with verb-complement compounds can be tricky. With 出来, you have three primary and natural-sounding options.
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V + 出来 + Object: This is the most straightforward structure, where the object follows the entire verb-complement phrase. It works best when the object is simple and not too long.
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我尝出来了汤里的番茄味。 (Wǒ cháng chūlái le tāng lǐ de fānqié wèi.) - I could taste the tomato flavor in the soup.
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他终于想出来了那个问题的答案。 (Tā zhōngyú xiǎng chūlái le nàge wèntí de dá'àn.) - He finally thought up the answer to that question.
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Topic-Comment (Object First): In spoken Chinese, it's very common to front the object as the "topic" of the sentence, and then make a comment about it. This adds focus to the object.
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这个人是谁,我真的没认出来。 (Zhège rén shì shéi, wǒ zhēnde méi rèn chūlái.) - Who this person is, I really didn't recognize.
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他的真实意图,没人能看得出来。 (Tā de zhēnshí yìtú, méi rén néng kàn de chūlái.) - His true intention, nobody can discern.
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Using (bǎ): The construction places the object directly after and before the verb. This structure emphasizes the disposal of or effect upon the object.
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请你把所有的错误都检查出来。 (Qǐng nǐ bǎ suǒyǒu de cuòwù dōu jiǎnchá chūlái.) - Please check for and find all the mistakes.
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我们应该把一个可行的计划制定出来。 (Wǒmen yīnggāi bǎ yīgè kěxíng de jìhuà zhìdìng chūlái.) - We should formulate a viable plan.
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Choosing between these depends on nuance and emphasis, but all three are correct and frequently used by native speakers.

When To Use It

Use 出来 whenever the goal or result of an action is identification, discernment, or creation. Here are the most common scenarios, categorized by the type of "emergence."
1. Sensory Identification (Discerning from a background)
This is the most frequent use of 出来. It applies when you use your senses to isolate a piece of information from a complex or unclear input.
  • With (kàn) and (rèn) - to see/recognize:
You use this for deciphering unclear things or identifying someone/something. It's not just seeing, but processing what you see.
  • 这张旧照片上的人是谁,你还认得出来吗? (Zhè zhāng jiù zhàopiàn shàng de rén shì shéi, nǐ hái rèn de chūlái ma?) - Can you still recognize who is in this old photograph?
  • 他虽然戴着口罩,但我还是一眼就看出来了。 (Tā suīrán dàizhe kǒuzhào, dàn wǒ háishì yī yǎn jiù kàn chūlái le.) - Even though he was wearing a mask, I still recognized him at a glance.
  • With (tīng) - to hear/identify:
This is for distinguishing a specific sound, voice, language, or musical piece from ambient noise or other sounds.
  • 你听得出来这是哪地方的口音吗? (Nǐ tīng de chūlái zhè shì nǎ dìfāng de kǒuyīn ma?) - Can you identify what regional accent this is?
  • 隔壁太吵了,我根本听不出来电视在说什么。 (Gébì tài chǎo le, wǒ gēnběn tīng bu chūlái diànshì zài shuō shénme.) - Next door is too loud, I can't make out what the TV is saying at all.
  • With (cháng) / (chī) - to taste/identify:
Used for identifying ingredients or flavors within a dish.
  • 这道菜很特别,我没吃出来是用什么做的。 (Zhè dào cài hěn tèbié, wǒ méi chī chūlái shì yòng shénme zuò de.) - This dish is very unique; I couldn't identify what it's made of.
  • With (wén) - to smell/identify:
For recognizing a specific scent.
  • 你闻出来了吗?好像有煤气泄漏了。 (Nǐ wén chūlái le ma? Hǎoxiàng yǒu méiqì xièlòu le.) - Do you smell that? It seems like there's a gas leak.
2. Cognitive Emergence (Creating something new)
This category applies to mental processes where an idea, solution, or answer is generated.
  • With (xiǎng) - to think up:
This is the classic verb for invention and problem-solving. It means to create a new idea from thought.
  • 这个绝妙的主意是谁想出来的? (Zhège juémiào de zhǔyi shì shéi xiǎng chūlái de?) - Who came up with this brilliant idea?
  • 别担心,我们一定能想出来解决办法的。 (Bié dānxīn, wǒmen yīdìng néng xiǎng chūlái jiějué bànfǎ de.) - Don't worry, we can definitely think up a solution.
  • With (cāi) - to guess correctly:
is to guess, but 猜出来 means the guess was successful and revealed the correct answer.
  • 我把礼物藏起来了,看你能不能猜出来是什么。 (Wǒ bǎ lǐwù cáng qǐlái le, kàn nǐ néng bu néng cāi chūlái shì shénme.) - I've hidden the present, let's see if you can guess what it is.
  • With 分析 (fēnxī) / 研究 (yánjiū) - to figure out via analysis:
For results achieved through a formal process of investigation.
  • 通过数据分析,我们看出来了市场的潜在需求。 (Tōngguò shùjù fēnxī, wǒmen kàn chūlái le shìchǎng de qiánzài xūqiú.) - Through data analysis, we have identified the market's potential demand.
3. Discerning Inner States or Qualities (Reading between the lines)
A more abstract but very common usage, primarily with 看出来, is to discern a person's emotions, intentions, or character traits from their appearance or behavior.
  • 从他的表情,我能看出来他非常失望。 (Cóng tā de biǎoqíng, wǒ néng kàn chūlái tā fēicháng shīwàng.) - From his expression, I can tell he is very disappointed.
  • 他是不是在说谎,其实我早就看出来了。 (Tā shì bu shì zài shuōhuǎng, qíshí wǒ zǎo jiù kàn chūlái le.) - I actually figured out long ago whether or not he was lying.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 出来 with other complements that seem similar. Understanding these distinctions is key to using it correctly.
1. 出来 (Recognition) vs. (Comprehension)
This is the most fundamental distinction. (dǒng) is about understanding the meaning or logic. 出来 is about identifying the source or identity.
| Scenario | Correct Usage | Incorrect Usage & Why |
|---|---|---|
| Listening to a lecture in a foreign language. | 我听不懂老师在说什么。 (I don't understand the meaning of what the teacher is saying.) | 我听不出来老师在说什么。 (Incorrect. This implies you can't identify the sounds, not that you don't understand them. You might use it if you couldn't identify the language itself: 我听不出来这是哪国话。) |
| Hearing a friend's voice on a bad phone line. | 我听出来是你了,但听不清你说什么,所以听不懂。 (I recognized it's you, but I can't hear clearly what you're saying, so I don't understand.) | This sentence correctly uses both. 出来 for identity, 不懂 for meaning. |
2. 出来 (Discernment) vs. (dào) / (jiàn) (Perception)
and simply confirm that the sensory action was successful. 出来 implies a further step of cognitive processing to analyze what was perceived.
  • You must first 看见 (see) or 听到 (hear) before you can 看出来 (discern) or 听出来 (identify).
| Context | / (Perception) | 出来 (Discernment/Identification) |
|---|---|---|
| Spotting a friend in a crowd. | 我在人群中看见他了。 (I saw him in the crowd.) | This just means your eyes registered his image. It doesn't imply you were unsure who it was. |
| Identifying a person in a blurry photo. | 照片太模糊了,我看见里面有个人,但看不出来是谁。 (The photo is too blurry. I can see there's a person in it, but I can't make out who it is.) | You successfully 看见 the shape, but you cannot 看出来 the identity. |
| Hearing a noise. | 你听见那个奇怪的声音了吗? (Did you hear that strange noise?) | 你听出来那是什么声音了吗? (Did you identify what that sound was?) |
3. 看出来 (To figure out by looking) vs. 看起来 (To look like)
This is a classic point of confusion. 出来 is a result complement indicating a deduction. 起来 (qǐlái) is a directional complement used metaphorically to introduce an impression or assessment.
| Type | Structure & Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Deduction | 看出来 (kàn chūlái) - "to figure out," "to discern," "to tell" | 我能看出来他昨晚没睡好。 (I can tell he didn't sleep well last night.) - This is a conclusion based on evidence (e.g., dark circles under his eyes). |
| Impression | 看起来 (kàn qǐlái) - "to look like," "it seems," "it appears" | 他看起来很累。 (He looks tired.) - This is a statement about his appearance, his general impression. |
  • Mistake: 你看出来很累。 (Incorrect)
  • Correction: 我看得出来你很累。 (I can tell you are tired.) OR 你看起来很累。 (You look tired.)
4. Incorrect Object Placement
Verb-complement compounds cannot be split by a simple object.
  • Mistake: 我没看问题出来。
  • Correction: 我没看出来问题。 OR, more naturally, 问题我没看出来。
  • Mistake: 他想一个好办法出来了。
  • Correction: 他想出来一个好办法了。 OR 他把一个好办法想出来了。

Real Conversations

Textbook examples are clean, but 出来 thrives in the messiness of real life. Here’s how you’ll hear it used in modern, everyday contexts.

1. On Social Media (e.g., commenting on a photo)

- 这张图P得太明显了吧,我一眼就看出来了,背景里的墙都歪了。

- Pinyin: Zhè zhāng tú P de tài míngxiǎn le ba, wǒ yī yǎn jiù kàn chūlái le, bèijǐng lǐ de qiáng dōu wāi le.

- Translation: "The Photoshop on this picture is so obvious, I could tell at a glance. The wall in the background is warped."

- (Here, 看出来 means spotting the fake, manipulated detail.)

2. In an Office (e.g., on WeChat Work or DingTalk)

- Person A: 这个季度的财务报告有问题,你们谁看出来了?

- Pinyin: Zhège jìdù de cáiwù bàogào yǒu wèntí, nǐmen shéi kàn chūlái le?

- Translation: "There's a problem with this quarter's financial report. Did any of you spot it?"

- Person B: 我没看出来,让审计再查一下吧。

- Pinyin: Wǒ méi kàn chūlái, ràng shěnjì zài chá yīxià ba.

- Translation: "I didn't notice it. Let's have the auditors check again."

3. On a Phone Call

- 喂?不好意思,您的声音有点变,我一下没听出来。哦,是王总啊!

- Pinyin: Wéi? Bùhǎoyìsi, nín de shēngyīn yǒudiǎn biàn, wǒ yīxià méi tīng chūlái. Ō, shì Wáng zǒng a!

- Translation: "Hello? Sorry, your voice sounds a bit different, I didn't recognize it for a moment. Oh, it's Director Wang!"

- (Here, 没听出来 signifies a failed attempt at voice recognition.)

4. Debating a Movie Plot

- 那个结尾我真是没看出来,原来凶手一直是他的朋友。

- Pinyin: Nàge jiéwěi wǒ zhēnshì méi kàn chūlái, yuánlái xiōngshǒu yīzhí shì tā de péngyǒu.

- Translation: "I really didn't see that ending coming. It turns out the killer was his friend all along."

- (Here, 没看出来 means failing to predict or discern the plot twist.)

Quick FAQ

Q: What's the difference between 想出来 (xiǎng chūlái) and 想到 (xiǎngdào)?

This is a crucial distinction. 想到 means "to think of" or "to occur to someone." It often refers to recalling something that already existed in your memory (我突然想到了一个老同学 - I suddenly thought of an old classmate) or a thought simply popping into your head. 想出来 implies an active, creative process of problem-solving. It means to devise, invent, or concoct something new that wasn't there before. 想到 is often about recall or realization; 想出来 is about creation. Compare: 我没想到他会来 (I didn't expect he would come) vs. 我想出来一个新计划 (I thought up a new plan).

Q: Is 认出来 (rèn chūlái) a fixed phrase?

Yes, it is an extremely common and tightly-bound verb-complement pair. The verb (rèn) itself means "to know" or "to be acquainted with." Adding 出来 specifies the result of successfully identifying someone or something in a particular context, often after a period of not seeing them or when their appearance has changed. For example: 他胖了太多,我差点没认出来。 (Tā pàng le tài duō, wǒ chàdiǎn méi rèn chūlái.) - He got so fat, I almost didn't recognize him.

Q: Can I use 出来 for emotions?

Indirectly. You don't "feel an emotion out." Instead, you use other verbs with 出来 to talk about discerning or showing emotions. You use 看出来 to discern someone else's feelings: 我看得出来你今天不开心 (I can tell you're unhappy today). You use 表现出来 (biǎoxiàn chūlái) to express or show an emotion: 他心里很难过,但脸上一点也没表现出来 (He was very sad inside, but he didn't show it on his face at all).

Q: Can 出来 follow any verb?

No. Its use is restricted to verbs where a result can logically "emerge." These are primarily sensory verbs (看, 听, 尝, 闻), cognitive verbs (想, 猜, 分析, 考虑), or verbs of revelation/production (表达, 画). You cannot use it with verbs of simple action that don't involve discernment or creation. For instance, 跑出来 (pǎo chūlái) can only mean to physically run out of a place; it cannot mean to figure something out by running.

Formation of Recognition Complements

Type Structure Example
Affirmative
Verb + 出来
{听出来|tīng chūlái}
Negative
Verb + 不 + 出来
{听不出来|tīng bù chūlái}
Potential
Verb + 得 + 出来
{听得出来|tīng de chūlái}
Question
Verb + 得/不 + 出来
{听得出来吗?|tīng de chūlái ma?}
Past
Verb + 出来 + 了
{认出来了|rèn chūlái le}
Negative Past
没 + Verb + 出来
{没认出来|méi rèn chūlái}

Meanings

The resultative complement {出来|chūlái} is used to express that a sensory action (like looking or listening) has resulted in the successful identification or recognition of an object or person.

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Sensory Recognition

Identifying a person or object through sight or sound.

“{你听出来这首歌是谁唱的吗?|Nǐ tīng chūlái zhè shǒu gē shì shéi chàng de ma?}”

“{我看不出来这是什么字。|Wǒ kàn bù chūlái zhè shì shénme zì.}”

Reference Table

Reference table for Result Complement 出来 (chūlái) for Recognition
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Verb + 出来
{看出来|kàn chūlái}
Negative
Verb + 不 + 出来
{看不出来|kàn bù chūlái}
Question
Verb + 得/不 + 出来
{看得出来吗?|kàn de chūlái ma?}
Past
Verb + 出来 + 了
{看出来了|kàn chūlái le}
Negative Past
没 + Verb + 出来
{没看出来|méi kàn chūlái}
Potential
Verb + 得 + 出来
{看得出来|kàn de chūlái}

Formality Spectrum

Formal
{无法辨认出其身份。|Wúfǎ biànrèn chū qí shēnfèn.}

{无法辨认出其身份。|Wúfǎ biànrèn chū qí shēnfèn.} (Identifying a person)

Neutral
{我看不出来他是谁。|Wǒ kàn bù chūlái tā shì shéi.}

{我看不出来他是谁。|Wǒ kàn bù chūlái tā shì shéi.} (Identifying a person)

Informal
{认不出是谁。|Rèn bù chū shì shéi.}

{认不出是谁。|Rèn bù chū shì shéi.} (Identifying a person)

Slang
{谁啊?看不出。|Shéi a? Kàn bù chū.}

{谁啊?看不出。|Shéi a? Kàn bù chū.} (Identifying a person)

The Recognition Process

出来 (chūlái)

Sight

  • {看出来|kàn chūlái} recognize by sight

Sound

  • {听出来|tīng chūlái} recognize by sound

Smell

  • {闻出来|wén chūlái} identify by smell

Examples by Level

1

{我认出来他了。|Wǒ rèn chūlái tā le.}

I recognized him.

1

{我看不出来这是什么。|Wǒ kàn bù chūlái zhè shì shénme.}

I can't tell what this is.

1

{你听出来是谁在唱歌吗?|Nǐ tīng chūlái shì shéi zài chànggē ma?}

Can you tell who is singing?

1

{虽然光线很暗,但我还是看出来那是他。|Suīrán guāngxiàn hěn àn, dàn wǒ háishì kàn chūlái nà shì tā.}

Although the light is dim, I still recognized that it was him.

1

{他从字迹中看出来这封信是她写的。|Tā cóng zìjì zhōng kàn chūlái zhè fēng xìn shì tā xiě de.}

He could tell from the handwriting that she wrote this letter.

1

{历经多年,他终于从那段往事中看出来人性的复杂。|Lìjīng duōnián, tā zhōngyú cóng nà duàn wǎngshì zhōng kàn chūlái rénxìng de fùzá.}

After many years, he finally perceived the complexity of human nature from that past event.

Easily Confused

Result Complement 出来 (chūlái) for Recognition vs 出来 (chūlái) vs 起来 (qǐlái)

Both are resultative complements, but 出来 is for identification, while 起来 is for starting or recollection.

Result Complement 出来 (chūlái) for Recognition vs 出来 (chūlái) vs 出去 (chūqù)

Both involve 'out', but 出来 is towards the speaker, while 出去 is away.

Result Complement 出来 (chūlái) for Recognition vs 看出来 (kàn chūlái) vs 看见 (kànjiàn)

看见 is just 'to see'; 看出来 is 'to identify by seeing'.

Common Mistakes

{我认他出来|Wǒ rèn tā chūlái}

{我认出来他了|Wǒ rèn chūlái tā le}

The complement must follow the verb immediately.

{我听出来|Wǒ tīng chūlái}

{我听出来他是谁了|Wǒ tīng chūlái tā shì shéi le}

Usually requires an object or context.

{我看不出来他|Wǒ kàn bù chūlái tā}

{我认不出他来|Wǒ rèn bù chū tā lái}

Use 'recognize' (认) for people.

{我听出来音乐|Wǒ tīng chūlái yīnyuè}

{我听出来这是什么音乐|Wǒ tīng chūlái zhè shì shénme yīnyuè}

Need to identify the specific content.

{我出来看见他|Wǒ chūlái kànjiàn tā}

{我认出他来了|Wǒ rèn chū tā lái le}

Confusing directional with resultative.

{我听得出来吗?|Wǒ tīng de chūlái ma?}

{你听得出来吗?|Nǐ tīng de chūlái ma?}

Wrong subject for a question.

{我没听出来他|Wǒ méi tīng chūlái tā}

{我没听出来他是谁|Wǒ méi tīng chūlái tā shì shéi}

Need to complete the thought.

{我闻出来味道|Wǒ wén chūlái wèidào}

{我闻出来这是什么味儿|Wǒ wén chūlái zhè shì shénme wèir}

Redundant object.

{他看出来那本书|Tā kàn chūlái nà běn shū}

{他看出来那本书是假的|Tā kàn chūlái nà běn shū shì jiǎ de}

Need to identify a property.

{我认出来他了,但是我不认识他|Wǒ rèn chūlái tā le, dànshì wǒ bù rènshí tā}

{我认出他来了,但我不知道他是谁|Wǒ rèn chū tā lái le, dàn wǒ bù zhīdào tā shì shéi}

Logical contradiction.

{他从声音中听出来出来|Tā cóng shēngyīn zhōng tīng chūlái chūlái}

{他从声音中听出来|Tā cóng shēngyīn zhōng tīng chūlái}

Double complement error.

{这很难被看出来|Zhè hěn nán bèi kàn chūlái}

{这很难看出来|Zhè hěn nán kàn chūlái}

Passive voice is unnatural here.

{我没能看出来|Wǒ méi néng kàn chūlái}

{我没看出来|Wǒ méi kàn chūlái}

Unnecessary modal verb.

Sentence Patterns

我___出来这是什么了。

他___不出来这是谁。

你___得出来这是什么吗?

虽然___,但我还是认出来他了。

Real World Usage

Social Media very common

{我认出来这是哪儿了!|Wǒ rèn chūlái zhè shì nǎr le!}

Texting very common

{听不出来是谁。|Tīng bù chūlái shì shéi.}

Job Interview occasional

{我听出来您是王经理。|Wǒ tīng chūlái nín shì Wáng jīnglǐ.}

Travel common

{我看不出来这是什么地标。|Wǒ kàn bù chūlái zhè shì shénme dìbiāo.}

Food Delivery common

{我闻出来这有香菜。|Wǒ wén chūlái zhè yǒu xiāngcài.}

Classroom common

{老师,我听不出来这个词。|Lǎoshī, wǒ tīng bù chūlái zhège cí.}

💡

Focus on the 'Aha!'

Whenever you feel that 'Aha!' moment of recognition, that is your cue to use 出来.
⚠️

Don't confuse with direction

If you aren't moving physically, it's likely a resultative complement, not a directional one.
🎯

Use with '认'

The most common pairing is 认出来 (recognize). Master this first.
💬

Natural Speech

Native speakers use this constantly. Don't be afraid to use it in casual conversation.

Smart Tips

Use the negative potential form: Verb + 不 + 出来.

{我不知道这是什么|Wǒ bù zhīdào zhè shì shénme} {我看不出来这是什么|Wǒ kàn bù chūlái zhè shì shénme}

Always use 认出来.

{我看见他了|Wǒ kànjiàn tā le} {我认出来他了|Wǒ rèn chūlái tā le}

Use 听出来 to show you identified the person.

{我听见他的声音|Wǒ tīngjiàn tā de shēngyīn} {我听出来是他的声音|Wǒ tīng chūlái shì tā de shēngyīn}

Use 闻不出来.

{我不知道这是什么味道|Wǒ bù zhīdào zhè shì shénme wèidào} {我闻不出来这是什么味道|Wǒ wén bù chūlái zhè shì shénme wèidào}

Pronunciation

chū-la

Neutral Tone

The 'lái' in 'chūlái' is often pronounced in a neutral tone in spoken Chinese.

Rising for questions

听得出来吗?↗

Seeking confirmation of recognition.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'Aha!' moment as something 'coming out' of your brain into clarity.

Visual Association

Imagine a blurry puzzle piece suddenly snapping into focus and popping out of the puzzle frame.

Rhyme

When you see and know the way, add 出来 to the day.

Story

I was walking in the park. I saw a man. I couldn't tell who he was. Then he smiled. Suddenly, I recognized him! {我认出来他了!|Wǒ rèn chūlái tā le!}

Word Web

{认出来|rèn chūlái}{看出来|kàn chūlái}{听出来|tīng chūlái}{闻出来|wén chūlái}{尝出来|cháng chūlái}

Challenge

Go to a busy place and try to identify 3 things you hear or see using the 'Verb + 出来' structure.

Cultural Notes

Very common in daily life to express 'Aha!' moments.

Similar usage, often used in casual conversation.

Learners often translate directly from Cantonese '睇得出' (tai2 dak1 ceot1).

Derived from the literal directional 'come out', metaphorically extended to 'emerge into consciousness'.

Conversation Starters

你听出来这首歌是谁唱的吗?

你认出来那是谁了吗?

你能看出来这幅画的意思吗?

你闻出来这是什么菜了吗?

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you recognized an old friend after many years.
Write about a mystery object you found and couldn't identify.
Explain how you identify your favorite singer's voice.
Describe a dish and how you identified its ingredients.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct complement.

我听___这是谁的声音。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 出来
出来 is for identification.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我认出来他了
Complement must follow verb.
Fix the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

我听得出来吗?(Correction: You can hear it.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我听得出来
The question form needs to be answered.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我听出来是谁了
Correct SVO structure.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

I can't tell what this is.

Answer starts with: 我看不...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我看不出来这是什么
Identification uses 出来.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 你认出他了吗? B: _____

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我认出来了
Needs the resultative marker.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use: 闻, 出来, 蒜, 有

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我闻出来有蒜
Correct order for resultative.
Match the verb to the sense. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Sound, 2-Sight, 3-Smell
Standard sensory mapping.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct complement.

我听___这是谁的声音。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 出来
出来 is for identification.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我认出来他了
Complement must follow verb.
Fix the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

我听得出来吗?(Correction: You can hear it.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我听得出来
The question form needs to be answered.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

是 / 谁 / 听 / 出来 / 我 / 了

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我听出来是谁了
Correct SVO structure.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

I can't tell what this is.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我看不出来这是什么
Identification uses 出来.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 你认出他了吗? B: _____

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我认出来了
Needs the resultative marker.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use: 闻, 出来, 蒜, 有

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我闻出来有蒜
Correct order for resultative.
Match the verb to the sense. Match Pairs

Match: 1. 听, 2. 看, 3. 闻

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Sound, 2-Sight, 3-Smell
Standard sensory mapping.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete: I can't recognize your voice. Fill in the Blank

{你|nǐ}{的|de}{声|shēng}{音|yīn}{变|biàn}{了|le},{我|wǒ}{听|tīng}___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {不|bù}{出来|chūlái}
Which sentence implies you figured out a secret? Multiple Choice

Select the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我|wǒ}{看|kàn}{出来|chūlái}{他|tā}{在|zài}{撒|sā}{谎|huǎng}。
Translate: 'Can you taste that there is sugar in it?' Translation

Can you taste that there is sugar in it?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {你|nǐ}{喝|hē}{得|de}{出来|chūlái}{里|lǐ}{面|miàn}{有|yǒu}{糖|táng}{吗|ma}?
Fix the grammar. Error Correction

{我|wǒ}{闻|wén}{不|bù}{出|chū}{去|qù}{是|shì}{什|shén}{么|me}{味|wèi}{道|dào}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我|wǒ}{闻|wén}{不|bù}{出来|chūlái}{是|shì}{什|shén}{么|me}{味|wèi}{道|dào}。
Match the verb to the result. Match Pairs

Match the action to the correct form:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["{\u5403|ch\u012b}{\u51fa\u6765|ch\u016bl\u00e1i}","{\u770b|k\u00e0n}{\u51fa\u6765|ch\u016bl\u00e1i}","{\u542c|t\u012bng}{\u51fa\u6765|ch\u016bl\u00e1i}"]
Complete: I guessed the answer. Fill in the Blank

{答|dá}{案|àn}{我|wǒ}___ {了|le}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {猜|cāi}{出来|chūlái}
Which sentence works for recognizing a painting fake? Multiple Choice

Select the natural choice:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我|wǒ}{看|kàn}{出来|chūlái}{这|zhè}{是|shì}{假|jiǎ}{的|de}。
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

{他|tā}{写|xiě}{得|de}{太|tài}{乱|luàn},{我|wǒ}{读|dú}{不|bù}{出|chū}{去|qù}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {他|tā}{写|xiě}{得|de}{太|tài}{乱|luàn},{我|wǒ}{认|rèn}{不|bù}{出来|chūlái}。
Complete: Can you figure out this riddle? Fill in the Blank

{这|zhè}{个|gè}{谜|mí}{语|yǔ}{你|nǐ}___ {吗|ma}?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {猜|cāi}{得|de}{出来|chūlái}
Translate: 'I heard who it was.' Translation

I heard who it was.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我|wǒ}{听|tīng}{出来|chūlái}{是|shì}{谁|shéi}{了|le}。

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, it is primarily used with sensory verbs like {看|kàn}, {听|tīng}, {认|rèn}, {闻|wén}, and {尝|cháng}.

出来 is for identification (the result of a sensory process). 起来 is for starting an action or recollection.

No, it can also be a directional complement (e.g., {走出来|zǒu chūlái} - walk out).

Use {不|bù} between the verb and {出来|chūlái}, e.g., {看不出来|kàn bù chūlái}.

Yes, add {了|le} at the end of the sentence, e.g., {我认出来他了|Wǒ rèn chūlái tā le}.

It is neutral and used in all registers of spoken and written Chinese.

{了|le} indicates that the identification has been completed.

Yes, use the A-not-A form: {听得出来吗?|Tīng de chūlái ma?}

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

identificar / reconocer

Chinese uses a two-part structure (verb + complement) where Spanish uses a single verb.

French moderate

reconnaître / identifier

Chinese grammar is more focused on the result of the sensory process.

German moderate

erkennen

German uses prefixes; Chinese uses post-verbal complements.

Japanese high

見分ける (miwakeru)

Japanese compounds are lexicalized; Chinese complements are productive.

Arabic low

تعرف على (ta'arrafa 'ala)

Arabic is prepositional; Chinese is complement-based.

Chinese n/a

认出来

The core of the system.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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