Direction Complements in Chinese: What is a complement?
Before we get into what directional complements in Chinese are, let’s talk about what a complement is in the first place. In grammar, a complement is a word or phrase that “completes”. We use them to provide additional meaning or information. Complements are usually attached to a verb or an adjective. Be careful though, complements are not compliment.
Direction Complements in Chinese: So, what is it?
A direction complement is a complement that gives us additional information about the direction and movement of a verb. It’s very useful in Chinese as it allows you to express in which direction something is happening. It’s very useful for giving directions. You have to understand direction complements in Chinese as it’s easy to get confused when listening and speaking.
Direction Complements in Chinese: How do I use it in a sentence?
The sentence structure for direction complements is [Verb] + [来 / 去]
The basic complements are 来 and 去. If an action is going away from the person speaking then you use 去. However, if the action is coming towards the speaker then we use 来:
下来：come down
下去：go down
上来：come up
上去：go down
出来：come out
出去：go out
进来：come in
进去：go in
Here are some example sentences to give you an example of how to use the complement:
I am downstairs, please come down.
我在楼下，请下来
Wǒ zài lóu xià, qǐng xiàlái
The library open, lets go in!
图书馆开放了， 我们进去吧
Túshū guǎn kāile, wǒmen jìnqù ba
I’m outside your house, hurry and come out!
我在你家外面，快点出来
Wǒ zài nǐ jiā wàimiàn, kuài diǎn chūlái
Direction Complements in Chinese: Using 回，过 and 起
You can also get more complex complements using the verbs 回 ， 过， 起 :
过来: come over
过去: go over
回来: to come back
回去: to go back
起来: to get up/rise
Pay attention to 过来/去 and 进来/去. These can sometimes get confused because their meaning sounds similar. 过来 is used when the person you are speaking to is far away. For example, if you are asking a friend to come over to your house. 进来 is used when you are instructing someone to enter. For example, if someone is standing outside of your office and you are telling them to come in.
What are you doing this weekend? Do you want to come over and watch TV?
这个周末你在做什么，你想过来看电视吗?
Zhège zhōumò nǐ zài zuò shénme? Nǐ xiǎng guòlái kàn diànshì ma?
Your parents miss you, when are you going to go back and see them?
你父母想你，你什么时候回去看他们?
Nǐ fùmǔ xiǎng nǐ, nǐ shénme shíhòu huíqù kàn tāmen?
We hope you found our breakdown of verb complements useful. If you want more grammar explanations why not read our article on using 了 for Action Completion. If you have questions about the Chinese language then ask us on Quora.
