Directional Complements 1
趋向补语1
Express direction of movement using simple directional complements after verbs
Directional complements are placed after a verb to indicate the direction of the action. 来 (toward the speaker) and 去 (away from the speaker) are the two basic ones. 上, 下, 进, 出, 起, 过, 回, 开 provide more specific directional meaning.
These complements are fused to the verb. 来/去 indicate movement toward or away from the speaker. The other eight indicate specific spatial directions (up, down, in, out, etc.).
Lesson Targets
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Podcast: Directional Complements 1 (趋向补语1)
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Understanding 趋向补语1
When someone walks, runs, climbs, or moves, Chinese does not just say the action — it also says the direction. Directional complements are words attached after a verb that tell you WHERE the action is heading. There are two groups. Group 1: 来 (coming toward the speaker) and 去 (going away from the speaker). 走来 means "walk toward me." 走去 means "walk away from me." 带来 means "bring here." 带去 means "take there." Group 2: eight specific directions — 上 (up), 下 (down), 进 (in), 出 (out), 起 (rise up), 过 (across/over), 回 (back), 开 (open/apart). These combine with action verbs to create vivid descriptions of movement: 爬上 (climb up), 拿下 (take down), 走进 (walk in), 拿出 (take out), 站起 (stand up), 走过 (walk across), 走回 (walk back), 打开 (open). Mastering directional complements will make your Chinese dramatically more descriptive.
Key Points
- 来 (lái) = toward the speaker: 走来 (walk here), 带来 (bring here), 拿来 (fetch here).
- 去 (qù) = away from the speaker: 走去 (walk there), 带去 (take there), 拿去 (take away).
- 上 (shàng) = upward: 爬上 (climb up), 走上 (walk up).
- 下 (xià) = downward: 拿下 (take down), 坐下 (sit down).
- 进 (jìn) = inward: 走进 (walk in), 开进 (drive in).
- 出 (chū) = outward: 拿出 (take out), 走出 (walk out).
- 起 (qǐ) = upward/starting: 站起 (stand up), 拿起 (pick up).
- 过 (guò) = across/over: 走过 (walk across), 跑过 (run over).
- 回 (huí) = back/returning: 走回 (walk back), 放回 (put back).
- 开 (kāi) = open/apart: 打开 (open), 拉开 (pull apart).
- Objects can go between the verb-complement and 来/去: 带一个相机来 (bring a camera here).
Chinese is a very visual language when describing movement. Where English might simply say "he went upstairs," Chinese paints the picture: 他走上楼去了 — he walked up the stairs going away. This precision in describing spatial movement reflects the importance of perspective and direction in Chinese thinking.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
你看他向这边走来了。
Look, he is walking over this way.
Movement toward the speaker
这件礼物怎么给他？你给他带去吧。
How to give him this gift? Just take it to him.
Movement away from the speaker
我明天带一个相机来。
I will bring a camera tomorrow.
Object between verb and complement
你爬上十九楼了没有？
Did you climb up to the 19th floor?
爸爸从车上拿下电脑放回房间。
Dad took the computer down from the car and put it back in the room.
Two directional complements in one sentence
妈妈走上二楼从包里拿出一封信。
Mom walked up to the second floor and took a letter out of her bag.
车开进学校了，我们快过去吧。
The car drove into the school — let us hurry over.
你打开包给我看看。
Open your bag and let me see.
他从椅子上站起来了。
He stood up from the chair.
请你把书放回书架上。
Please put the book back on the bookshelf.
Common Mistakes
The directional complement (来) goes AFTER the verb (走), not before it. The order is always: verb + direction.
Time words go before the verb. When there is an object, it can go between the verb and 来/去: 带 + object + 来.
With directional complements and a specific object, the 把 construction is often more natural: 把 + object + verb + complement.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Think of 来 as "toward me" and 去 as "away from me" — this perspective never changes.
Memorize the eight direction complements in pairs: 上/下 (up/down), 进/出 (in/out), 起/开 (rise/apart), 过/回 (across/back).
When there is an object with 来/去, the object often goes between the verb and complement: 带一本书来.
Practice with everyday movements: 走进教室 (walk into the classroom), 拿出手机 (take out your phone), 放回书包 (put back in the backpack).
Directional complements can combine: 走上来 (walk up toward me), 拿出去 (take out and away) — but that is for later lessons!
Homework
Describe a sequence of movements you do every morning using at least eight different directional complements. Example: 我从床上站起来，走进洗手间，拿出牙刷…… Continue the story until you leave the house.