Extended use of the directional complement (3): ……下来

In Chinese “下来” (xiàlái) follows a verb and shows that an action demanding time, effort or persistence has been carried through to the end.

Basic Structure

Verb + 下来

Meaning:

to see it through despite the difficulty to keep at it for a while and get a result

Examples

这一年多住下来，我还是更喜欢北京的四季

Structure

住 + 下来 to live + to keep at it over a long stretch 这一年多 — over a year 住下来 — to have lived through that time 我还是更喜欢 — I still prefer 北京的四季 — Beijing's four seasons

Here 下来 shows that the living has gone on over a stretch of time.

这半年练下来，他画画的水平提高了不少

Structure

练 + 下来 to practise + to keep at it for a while 这半年 — this half year 练下来 — to have practised through it 他画画的水平 — his level of drawing 提高了不少 — has improved a lot

Here 下来 shows the practice continuing over a long stretch and producing a result.

5000米的长跑比赛，没想到我跑下来了

Structure

跑 + 下来 to run + to make it all the way despite the difficulty 5000米的长跑比赛 — a 5000-metre long-distance race 没想到 — I didn't expect 我跑下来了 — I ran the whole way

Here 下来 shows the action carried through to the end despite being hard.

Quick Rule

Verb + 下来

Meaning: to keep going with an action that takes time, effort or patience, and carry it through.

Examples:

住下来zhù xiàláito live there for a stretch

练下来liàn xiàláito practise over a long stretch

跑下来pǎo xiàláito run the whole distance