Simple complements of direction: “来 / 去”

In Chinese, the structure Verb + 来/去 indicates the directional movement of an action:

来 (lái): The action is directed towards the speaker (coming).

去 (qù): The action is directed away from the speaker (going).

Common verbs used: 上 (up), 下 (down), 进 (in), 出 (out), 回 (back/return), 过 (across), 起 (upward), 买 (buy), 带 (bring/take), 搬 (move).

1. Basic Structure

Verb + 来 / 去

我(Wǒ)们(men)在(zài)楼(lóu)上(shàng)等(děng)你(nǐ)呢(ne)，你(nǐ)上(shàng)来(lái)吧(ba)。

We're upstairs waiting for you, come up.

Speaker is upstairs (楼上).

谁(Shéi)在(zài)外(wài)边(bian)？你(Nǐ)出(chū)去(qù)看(kàn)看(kan)吧(ba)。

Who is outside? Go out and have a look.

Speaker is inside (屋里).

汉(Hàn)语(yǔ)书(shū)你(nǐ)带(dài)来(lái)了(le)吗(ma)？

Did you bring your Chinese textbook with you?

Action directed towards speaker.

那(Nà)边(biān)树(shù)多(duō)，我(wǒ)们(men)过(guò)去(qù)坐(zuò)一(yí)下(xià)吧(ba)。

There are many trees over there, let's go over and sit down.

Action moving away from speaker.

When a place is mentioned, it MUST be placed BEFORE 来 / 去.

Verb + Place Noun + 来 / 去

小(Xiǎo)狗(gǒu)下(xià)楼(lóu)来(lái)吃(chī)东(dōng)西(xi)。

The puppy came downstairs to eat.

老(Lǎo)师(shī)进(jìn)教(jiào)室(shì)来(lái)上(shàng)课(kè)。

The teacher entered the classroom to teach.

朋(Péng)友(you)回(huí)家(jiā)去(qù)了(le)。

My friend went back home.

我(Wǒ)上(shàng)楼(lóu)去(qù)。

I am going upstairs.

An object noun can be placed either BEFORE or AFTER 来 / 去.

Pattern A: Verb + Object + 来 / 去

Pattern B: Verb + 来 / 去 + Object

明(Míng)天(tiān)要(yào)带(dài)作(zuò)业(yè)来(lái)。

You need to bring your homework tomorrow.

帮(Bāng)我(wǒ)买(mǎi)来(lái)点儿(diǎnr)面(miàn)包(bāo)。

Help me buy and bring back some bread.

你(Nǐ)搬(bān)这(zhè)把(bǎ)椅(yǐ)子(zi)去(qù)吧(ba)。

Take this chair over there.

这(Zhè)次(cì)旅(lǚ)游(yóu)，我(wǒ)想(xiǎng)带(dài)去(qù)这(zhè)本(běn)书(shū)。

For this trip, I want to take this book with me.