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。
Having lived here for over a year, I still like Beijing's four seasons better.
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。
After half a year of practice, his drawing has improved a great deal.
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。
A 5000-metre race — I didn't expect to make it all the way.
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to live there for a stretch
练下来to practise over a long stretch
跑下来to run the whole distance