Learn how to use 来 (come) and 去 (go) to express movement and direction in Chinese sentences
1 Basic Pattern: Subject + 来/去 + Place + Purpose
Grammar Explanation: In Chinese, 来/去 (lái/qù) can express both motion (come/go) and direction (here/there) depending on where the speaker is located.
The choice between 来 (come) and 去 (go) is determined by the speaker’s perspective:
- 来 (lái) = Movement toward the speaker’s location
- 去 (qù) = Movement away from the speaker’s location
Example Sentences
来 (lái)
Meaning: To come, movement toward the speaker
Usage: When someone/something is coming to your location
去 (qù)
Meaning: To go, movement away from the speaker
Usage: When someone/something is going away from your location
2 Alternative Pattern: Subject + 从/到 + Place + 来/去 + Purpose
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Usage Tips & Common Mistakes
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Practice Exercises
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