The Directional Complement (1) – 趋向补语 (1)

The Directional Complement（1）- 趋向补语 (1)

The directional complement indicates the direction of displacement of an action. The direction is based on the location of speakers or the location of things the speaker is talking about.

Verb + Directional Complement + (object)

The basic form

Verb + 来 / 去

The most important thing to consider with directional complements is the position of the speaker. If the action moves towards the speaker or comes closer in any way, use 来. If the action moves away from the speaker or becomes more distant in any way, use 去.

e.g.

我在楼下，你赶快下来吧。(Wǒ zài lóu xià, nǐ gǎnkuài xiàlái ba.) I’m on the lower floor. Please come down to me.

你在楼上等我一下。我一会儿就上去找你。(Nǐ zài lóu shàng děng wǒ yíxià. Wǒ yìhuǐr jiù shàngqù zhǎo nǐ.) Please wait a moment on the upper floor. I’m coming up to you in a few seconds.

里面人太多了，你们出来透透气吧。(Lǐmiàn rén tài duōle, nǐmen chūlái tòu tòuqì ba.) There are too many people inside t. You guys need to get out and have some fresh air.

他在办公室里等你，你快进去吧。(Tā zài bàngōngshì lǐ děng nǐ, nǐ kuài jìnqù ba.) He is waiting for you in his office. You can go in now.

Note that when there is an object in the sentence, the object could be put after or before, or in between the form.

e.g.

我明天带一个相机来。(Wǒ míngtiān dài yīgè xiàngjī lái.) I will bring a camera tomorrow.

他昨天带来了一个相机。(Tā zuótiān dài láile yīgè xiàngjī.) He brought a camera yesterday.

你相机带来了吗？（Nǐ xiàngjī dài láile ma?）Did you bring the camera?

When the verb can add an object by itself, then the object usually should be put between the verb and the complement “来” or “去”.

e.g.

A：我想下个星期回家去。(Wǒ xiǎng xià gè xīngqī huí jiā qù.) I want to go home next week.

B：不行！你必须明天回家来。(Bùxíng! Nǐ bìxū míngtiān huí jiā lái.) No way! You must come home tomorrow.

✘ 回去家 (huíqù jiā)

✘ 回来家 (huílái jiā)

More Directional Complement forms

Verb+上/下/进/出/起/过/回/开

These constructions can’t be added to other elements between the verb and the complements.

上：move from a lower position to a higher position, down to up

下：move from a higher position to a lower position, up to down

进：enter a closed space

出：out from a closed space

起：leave a certain space and up to a higher position

过：pass by or through a place as the action goes on

回：return to a place

开：open

e.g.

妈妈从车上拿下电脑，放回家里。(Māma cóng chē shàng ná xià diànnǎo, fàng huí jiālǐ.) Mom took the computer from the car and put it home.

爸爸跑上顶楼，拿出一把钥匙。(Bàba pǎo shàng dǐnglóu, ná chū yī bǎ yàoshi.) Dad ran up to the top floor and took out a key.

校车开进大门了，我们快过去吧。(Xiàochē kāi jìn dàménle, wǒmen kuài guòqù ba.) The school bus drove through the gate, let’s go quickly.

The Interrogative Form

Verb + Directional Complement + (object) +了+吗

Verb + Directional Complement + (object) +了+没(有)

e.g.

你爬上楼了没有？有人在吗？(Nǐ pá shàng lóule méiyǒu? Yǒurén zài ma?) Have you climbed upstairs yet? Is anyone there?

你打开电脑了吗？我帮你吧！(Nǐ dǎkāi diànnǎole ma? Wǒ bāng nǐ ba!) Did you turn on the computer? Let me help you!