Chinese Complement of Direction

Mastering directional complements is essential for moving beyond basic sentences in Chinese. These grammatical structures allow you to describe movement with precision and are frequently used in both literal and figurative expressions. Understanding their rules will significantly enhance your ability to narrate events, give directions, and describe changes of state.

Simple Directional Complements: Lai and Qu

The foundation of this concept lies in the two simplest directional complements: 来 (lai) and 去 (qu). They are attached directly to a verb to indicate the direction of movement relative to the speaker.

来 (lai) means "toward the speaker" or "coming." For example, in the sentence 他跑来了 (Tā pǎo lái le), meaning "He ran over (to me/us)," the action of running is directed toward the speaker's location.

去 (qu) means "away from the speaker" or "going." In the sentence 我寄去了 (Wǒ jì qù le), "I mailed it (away)," the action of mailing moves the object away from the speaker's sphere.

The core principle is perspective. Your choice between lai and qu depends on where you, the speaker, are conceptually located. If the movement is toward you, use lai; if it's away, use qu.

Compound Directional Complements

Chinese builds on lai and qu by combining them with verbs that specify the path of movement, creating compound directional complements. These are two-syllable structures like 上来 (shàng-lái), 下去 (xià-qu), 进来 (jìn-lái), and 出去 (chū-qu).

The first character indicates the specific path:

• 上 (shàng): up
• 下 (xià): down
• 进 (jìn): enter
• 出 (chū): exit
• 回 (huí): return
• 过 (guò): across

The second character is always lai or qu, anchoring the direction to the speaker. For instance:

• 走上来 (zǒu shàng lái): walk up (toward me)
• 跑下去 (pǎo xià qu): run down (away from me)
• 开进来 (kāi jìn lái): drive in (toward here)
• 飞出去 (fēi chū qu): fly out (away from here)

These compounds allow for precise descriptions like "Please come upstairs" (请上来, Qǐng shàng lái) or "He went out" (他出去了, Tā chū qu le).

Figurative Uses and Object Placement

Directional complements are not only for physical movement. They have extended figurative uses to describe abstract changes. For example, 安静下来 (ānjìng xià lái) means "to quiet down" (a state becoming calm), and 坚持下去 (jiānchí xià qu) means "to persevere" (to continue holding on).

Object placement with these complements follows specific rules. For simple lai/qu, a location object must be placed between the verb and the complement. You say 回家来 (huí jiā lái - return home toward me), not 回来家.

With compound complements, you have two options for a simple noun object:

1. Place it between the two parts of the complement: 拿一本书出来 (ná yī běn shū chū lái - take a book out).
2. Place it after the entire complement: 拿出来一本书 (ná chū lái yī běn shū). The first structure is generally more common.

However, if the object is a place, it must go between the path verb and lai/qu: 走进房间来 (zǒu jìn fángjiān lái - walk into the room toward me).

Interaction with the Particle Le

The aspect particle 了 (le) often interacts with directional complements to indicate the completion of a movement. Its placement is crucial.

When le follows a directional complement, it simply denotes that the action is finished: 他上去了 (Tā shàng qu le - He has gone up). This is the most common and straightforward usage.

You may also encounter le placed directly after the main verb, especially in sentences where the object is specified. This structure can give a sense of "and then" movement: 他拿了书就出去 (Tā ná le shū jiù chū qu - He took the book and then went out). However, for clear completion of the directed movement, placing le after the full complement is the safest and most frequent pattern for learners to adopt initially.

Common Pitfalls

1. Misusing lai and qu based on literal translation: The most common error is choosing the complement based on the verb's English meaning instead of the speaker's perspective. Remember, if the movement brings the subject closer to you (the speaker's point of reference), use lai. If it creates distance, use qu. Don't think of "going to the store" as qu automatically; if you are at home telling someone to go, you'd say 你去商店 (nǐ qù shāngdiàn). But if you are at the store calling someone, you'd say 你来商店 (nǐ lái shāngdiàn).

1. Incorrect object placement with locations: Always remember that a location noun (home, room, China) must be inserted before the final lai or qu. Saying 回来家 (huí lái jiā) is incorrect. It must be 回家来 (huí jiā lái). This rule is non-negotiable and a key marker of proficiency.

1. Overlooking figurative meanings: Treating complements like 下来 (xià lái) or 起来 (qǐ lái) as only physical will limit your comprehension. When you encounter them with non-motion verbs (like 安静下来, to quiet down), recognize they are describing a change of state, not physical descent.

1. Forcing le into every completed action: While le is common with directional complements, it is not mandatory if the context makes completion clear, or if you are describing a habitual action. Don't add le to 我每天走上来 (Wǒ měitiān zǒu shàng lái - I walk up every day).

Summary

• 来 (lai) indicates movement toward the speaker, while 去 (qu) indicates movement away. Your choice is based on perspective, not just verb meaning.
• Compound directional complements (e.g., 上来, 下去) combine a path verb with lai or qu for precise directional description, used both literally and figuratively.
• Object placement is rule-based: location objects always go before lai/qu, and simple objects can often be placed either within or after the compound complement.
• The particle 了 (le) most commonly follows the entire directional complement to signal the completion of the movement.
• Avoiding these structures will keep your Chinese basic; mastering them is a major step toward fluid and natural expression.