(after a verb, indicates coming out, completion of an action, or ability to discern or detect)
HSK 2, unknown, rank #198, Easy
出来
chulai
to appear
HSK 2, unknown, rank #198, Easy
出来
chulai
to arise
HSK 2, unknown, rank #198, Easy
chūlái(chu1lai2)
primary
T1
1to come out
2(after a verb, indicates coming out, completion of an action, or ability to discern or detect)
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March 24, 2026
出来(出來)chūlái(chu1lai2)
出来 (chu1 lai2) is used to indicate the action of coming out or emerging from a place or a situation. It can also suggest the completion of an action or the ability to discern something, often following a verb to emphasize the result of that action. This term is commonly used in daily conversation and can express both physical and metaphorical meanings.
Frequency#198DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, coming out can have various connotations, such as emerging into society after a period of study or work. The concept of 'coming out' is also linked with social gatherings, where people emerge from their homes to participate in community events.
Memory Tip
Imagine a door (the character 出) opening to let a bright light (来) come out. Visualize someone stepping out into the light, symbolizing the action of coming out or revealing something. The sound 'chu' can be remembered as 'chew,' like chewing your way through a door to come out.
Meanings of 出来
chūlái(chu1lai2)
primary
1to come out
2(after a verb, indicates coming out, completion of an action, or ability to discern or detect)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 出来
出来Simplified
出來Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1YCTL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 出来
Podcast: 出来
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AI Study Notes for 出来
Quick Contrast
出来 (chūlái) vs 过来 (guòlái): use 出来 for emerging or completing an action, while 过来 emphasizes moving towards the speaker.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a door (the character 出) opening to let a bright light (来) come out. Visualize someone stepping out into the light, symbolizing the action of coming out or revealing something. The sound 'chu' can be remembered as 'chew,' like chewing your way through a door to come out.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 出来 with 进去 (jìn qù), which means to go in. Be careful to use the correct context; for example, saying '我出来了' (wǒ chū lái le) means 'I have come out,' while '我进去' means 'I go in.' This word is informal and commonly used in spoken Mandarin.
HSK Study Tips
While 出来 is not specifically listed in HSK, it is relevant for learners at HSK Level 2 and above because it builds on verbs and complements. Focus on using it with verbs to express actions and their outcomes, as this is a common structure in Mandarin.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, coming out can have various connotations, such as emerging into society after a period of study or work. The concept of 'coming out' is also linked with social gatherings, where people emerge from their homes to participate in community events.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 出来 with the wrong verb, such as '吃出来' (chī chū lái) for 'eat out,' when they might mean to say '出去' (chū qù) for 'go out.' Always pair 出来 with verbs that imply emergence.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 出来
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Grammar Patterns of 出来
出来 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Verb + 出来
Indicates the action of coming out or emerging from a state.
出来 is often used after a verb to indicate the completion of an action or the emergence of a result.
1
他跑出来了。
He has run out.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
他跑____了。
He has run out.
Cultural Notes for 出来
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, coming out can have various connotations, such as emerging into society after a period of study or work. The concept of 'coming out' is also linked with social gatherings, where people emerge from their homes to participate in community events.
Frequently Asked Questions about 出来
出来 (chūlái) means 'to come out' and implies moving towards the speaker, while 出去 (chūqù) means 'to go out' and implies moving away from the speaker. The context of the action often determines which verb to use.
Yes, 出来 (chūlái) can be used in various contexts, such as physical movement, the appearance of something, or even in idiomatic expressions. It’s a versatile word in everyday conversation.
出来 (chūlái) means 'to come out' or 'to appear'. It's commonly used to indicate the completion of an action or when something becomes visible or discernible after a process.
You can use 出来 (chūlái) after a verb to indicate that an action has been completed or something has emerged. For example, '他跑出来了' (tā pǎo chūlái le) means 'He ran out'.
Use 出来 when referring to coming out or emerging from a place, while 进来 is used for entering.
Yes, it can describe situations like ideas 'coming out' or being revealed.
It is primarily used in informal contexts; for formal writing, other expressions may be more appropriate.
