上来 · 下去 · 回来 · 出去…
a verb + which way it moves (up, down, in, out, back, over) + 来 (towards the speaker) or 去 (away)
Structure
动词 + 上／下／进／出／回／过／起 + 来／去
What it means
After a verb, a direction word (上, 下, 进, 出, 回, 过, 起) says which way something moves, then 来 if it comes towards the speaker or 去 if it goes away.
How it is built
Verb + direction + 来／去: 他从楼上走下来了 (he came down the stairs). 孩子们从教室里跑出来了 (the children came running out of the classroom).
When to use it
Pick 来 or 去 by where the speaker is: if you are upstairs, someone 走上来; if downstairs, they 走上去. 来／去 is said lightly, in the neutral tone. This completes 走进, 拿出, 过来 from h2-11.
Watch out
Two have extra meanings: 下去 “carry on” (说下去) and 下来 “come to a stop” (停下来). 起 only pairs with 来: ✓ 站起来, never 站起去.
Examples
他从楼上走下来了。
He came down the stairs.
孩子们从教室里跑出来了。
The children came running out of the classroom.
这本书你拿回去看吧。
Take this book home and read it.
这个故事太有意思了，你说下去！
This story is great. Go on!
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 13: 学开车 (Learning to drive)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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