Directional Complement 5: Figurative Extended Uses
趋向补语5：引申用法
Master the figurative (non-physical) uses of directional complements 下来, 下去, 起来, and 过来
Beyond their literal directional meanings, 下来, 下去, 起来, and 过来 are used figuratively to express abstract changes of state, continuation, beginning, or recovery. These extended uses are among the most important features of advanced Chinese and appear in countless everyday expressions.
下来 = settling down, gradual decrease, or completion of a process going "downward" (calming, slowing, preserving). 下去 = continuation of a state or process into the future. 起来 = beginning of a new state or action, or gathering together. 过来 = recovery, returning to a normal or positive state.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Directional Complement 5: Figurative Extended Uses (趋向补语5：引申用法)
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Understanding 趋向补语5：引申用法
Directional complements are one of Chinese's most distinctive grammatical features, and their figurative extensions are essential for advanced fluency. At this level, you need to master four key complements used in abstract, non-physical senses. 下来 expresses something settling, decreasing, or being preserved — like emotions calming down (安静下来) or memories being recorded (记下来). 下去 signals continuation into the future — a process or state that keeps going (说下去, 活下去). 起来 marks the beginning of a new action or state (笑起来, 忙起来) or gathering things together (收起来). 过来 indicates recovery or returning to a normal state (醒过来, 清醒过来). These four complements transform hundreds of verbs and adjectives, making them indispensable for natural Chinese expression.
Key Points
- 下来: settling/decreasing/preserving — 安静下来 (quiet down), 慢下来 (slow down), 记下来 (write down/record).
- 下去: continuation — 说下去 (keep talking), 坚持下去 (keep persisting), 活下去 (keep living).
- 起来: beginning/gathering — 笑起来 (start laughing), 藏起来 (hide away), 忙起来 (become busy).
- 过来: recovery/return to normal — 醒过来 (wake up/regain consciousness), 缓过来 (recover), 明白过来 (come to understand).
- These figurative uses are far more common than literal directional uses at advanced levels.
- The same verb can pair with different complements for different meanings: 想起来 (recall) vs. 想下去 (keep thinking).
The rich system of directional complements reflects how Chinese speakers conceptualize abstract changes through spatial metaphors. "Down" (下) represents calming and continuation of the current trajectory; "up" (起) represents emergence and beginning; "over/across" (过) represents crossing a threshold back to normalcy. These spatial metaphors for abstract concepts are deeply embedded in Chinese thought.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
老师一进教室，同学们很快安静了下来。
As soon as the teacher entered the classroom, the students quickly quieted down.
下来: settling into a calm state
他对工作的兴趣渐渐淡了下去。
His interest in work gradually faded away.
下去: continuing a declining trend
我们先把礼物藏起来。
Let's hide the gifts first.
起来: gathering/concealing away
经过医生的抢救，他终于醒过来了。
After the doctors' emergency treatment, he finally regained consciousness.
过来: recovery to a normal state
天气渐渐凉了下来。
The weather gradually cooled down.
下来: gradual decrease in temperature
如果你不坚持下去，就永远不会成功。
If you don't keep persisting, you'll never succeed.
下去: continuing an action into the future
听到这个笑话，大家都笑了起来。
Hearing this joke, everyone burst out laughing.
起来: beginning of an action
他发了一会儿呆，突然反应过来了。
He zoned out for a while, then suddenly snapped back to awareness.
过来: returning to an alert state
Common Mistakes
Use 下来 for calming/settling, not 过来. 过来 is for recovery from an abnormal state (unconsciousness, confusion).
Use 下去 (not 下来) when describing a state that continues to decline or progress into the future. 下来 implies settling to a stable point; 下去 implies an ongoing process.
Use 起来 for the beginning/onset of an action (bursting into laughter), not 下来 which implies calming down.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Memory trick: 下来 = settling DOWN to rest; 下去 = continuing DOWN the road; 起来 = springing UP to begin; 过来 = coming OVER from a bad state to a good one.
When in doubt, ask: Is this about calming/decreasing (下来), continuing (下去), starting (起来), or recovering (过来)?
Pay attention to these complements when watching Chinese shows — they appear in nearly every conversation.
Practice with common collocations: 安静下来, 坚持下去, 笑起来, 醒过来 — these are your building blocks.
Homework
Write eight sentences — two for each figurative complement (下来, 下去, 起来, 过来). Each sentence should use the complement in its abstract/figurative sense, not its literal directional meaning. Include a brief note explaining which figurative meaning you are using.