HSK 3
趋向补语2
qū xiàng bǔ yǔ 2
Complex directional complement 2
Explanation
The compound directional complement (complement: an element placed after the verb to add meaning; compound directional = indicating direction, made of TWO characters) is a two-character phrase placed after the verb to show which DIRECTION the action moves in. It combines a direction character (出 out, 过 across, 回 back, 进 in, 起 up, 上 up, 下 down) with 来 (lái, toward the speaker) or 去 (qù, away from the speaker).
verb + [出/过/回/进/起/上/下] + [来/去]. For example 拿出来 (ná chū lái, take out toward here), 走过去 (zǒu guò qù, walk over there), 跑上去 (pǎo shàng qù, run up there).
来 when the direction is toward the speaker (out here, up here); 去 when the direction is away from the speaker (out there, down there).
when there is an object (the target of the action), its position is quite flexible and all three ways are correct, with the same meaning: after the whole phrase (拿了一本书出来), inserted between the two direction characters (拿出一本书来), or after the whole complement (拿出来一本书). However, an object indicating a PLACE (e.g. 教室, 二楼) must stand in the MIDDLE, before 来/去: 走出教室去, 跑上二楼去.
using 来/去 the wrong way around relative to the speaker's position; placing a place object after 来/去 (wrong "走出去教室", correct is 走出教室去).
Examples
(1) The directional-meaning use of the compound directional complement: verb + 出来/出去/过来/过去/回来/回去/进来/进去/起来/上来/上去/下来/下去 (out here/out there/over here/over there/back here/back there/in here/inside/up (rising)/up here/up there/down here/down there).
He took a book out of his backpack.
He took a book out of his backpack.
He took out a book from his backpack.
He slowly walked out of the classroom.
The car is coming, let's get ready to board.
He's on the other side of the bridge, let's walk over there.
Yesterday I bought back some fruit.
This place is very close to school, let's walk back.
Have you carried in the table from outside?
I still haven't carried the table in.
These books can't be left outside, they should be brought inside.
Stand up.
Have you brought your computer up here?
He suddenly ran up to the second floor.
He came down from the second floor.
Please help me carry the luggage downstairs.
Practice
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Learn “趋向补语2” effectively
The grammar point “趋向补语2” (Complex directional complement 2) is one of the key structures at HSK 3. 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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