HSK 2
趋向补语1
qū xiàng bǔ yǔ 1
Directional complement 1 (简单趋向补语)
Explanation
Simple directional complement (简单趋向补语 — a complement is an element after a verb/adjective that supplements it; here it indicates the DIRECTION of movement of the action).
Verb + directional word. Group (1): 来 lái (movement TOWARD the speaker) / 去 qù (movement AWAY from the speaker): 走来 (come over here), 带去 (take away). Group (2): 上 shàng (up), 下 xià (down), 进 jìn (in), 出 chū (out), 起 qǐ (up/rise), 过 guò (over), 回 huí (back), 开 kāi (open/apart): 爬上 (climb up), 拿下 (take down), 拿出 (take out), 开进 (drive in), 打开 (open up).
When you want to make clear in which direction the action goes relative to the speaker or a reference point.
来 lái and 去 qù are judged by the SPEAKER'S position — a thing/person moving TOWARD the speaker uses 来, moving AWAY from the speaker uses 去 (他走来 = walks toward me; 他走去 = walks away from me).
Vietnamese learners often pick the wrong 来/去 because Vietnamese does not distinguish by the speaker's position; and often place a place-object in the wrong spot (a place must go BETWEEN the verb and 来/去, as in 回房间来).
Examples
(1) Verb + 来 (come here) / 去 (go there)
Look, he's walking over this way.
A: How should this gift be given to him?
B: You take it over to him.
Tomorrow I'll bring a camera.
Yesterday he brought a camera with him.
A: Where's your dictionary?
B: Sorry, I didn't bring it.
(2) Verb + 上 (up) / 下 (down) / 进 (in) / 起 (up) / 过 (over) / 回 (back) / 开 (open, apart)
Have you climbed up to the nineteenth floor?
I couldn't climb up to the nineteenth floor; by the tenth floor I couldn't go on.
Dad took the computer down from the car and put it back in the room.
Mom walked up to the second floor and took a letter out of her bag.
The car has driven into the school; let's hurry over there.
Open your bag and let me take a look.
Practice
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Learn “趋向补语1” effectively
The grammar point “趋向补语1” (Directional complement 1 (简单趋向补语)) is one of the key structures at HSK 2. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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