Direction Complement in Chinese

Grammar Point:
A direction complement is a complement used to describe the direction of a verb in Chinese. For example, the verb “走 zǒu” means “to walk”. However, to specify which direction you are walking in, you can add a direction complement to describe where you are walking to. For example,

走zǒu進jìn走zǒu进jìn
Walk in

走zǒu出chū走zǒu出chū
Walk out

Now, let’s take a look at the various directional complements commonly used in Mandarin Chinese:

Structure

V + 來来 lái、去 qù

來来 lái and 去 qù describe movement toward or away from a reference point (usually the speaker).

V + 進进 jìn、出 chū

The characters 進进 jìn and 出 chū are usually used with an object that indicates a place. Use 進进 jìn when the action involves moving inward, and 出 chū when the action involves moving outward.

V + 上 shàng、下 xià

The characters 上 shàng and 下 xià are typically used with a destination or location. Use 上 shàng when the action involves moving upward, and 下 xià when the action involves moving downward.

V + 起 qǐ

This is a particularly unique word in Chinese, as it generally means “to rise”. In directional complements, it is always used with 來来 lái.

起來来 qǐlái has several meanings and functions, but here we’ll focus only on its use as a directional complement. In this context, it is similar to the English word “up”, indicating an upward movement.

Note: Both 上 shàng and 起 qǐ indicate upward movement. However, the key difference is that 上 shàng usually requires a specific destination or surface, while 起 qǐ does not.

V + 回 huí

回 huí is used for movements that involve going back or returning.

V + 開开 kāi

This word means to move something to another place, and it does not always require an object.

V + 過过 guò

This word basically means ‘pass’, ‘cross’, or ‘through’.

• Compound direction complements (HSK 3)

• Extension Direction Complements 1 (HSK 4)

• Extension Direction Complements 2 (HSK 5)

• Extension Direction Complements 3 (HSK 6)