chūqù: 出去 - To Go Out, To Exit

• Keywords: chūqù, chuqu, 出去, go out in Chinese, leave a room Chinese, exit in Chinese, Chinese directional verb, directional complement, HSK 1 vocabulary, learn Chinese go out, chu qu vs chu lai
• Summary: “出去 (chūqù)” is a fundamental and high-frequency Chinese verb that means “to go out” or “to exit.” It specifically describes movement from an interior space to an exterior one, directed away from the speaker. As a core directional complement, mastering `出去` is a key step for beginners to accurately describe movement and give simple commands in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chūqù
• Part of Speech: Verb (Directional Complement)
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: To move from inside to outside, away from the speaker's current location.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `出去` as a two-part command for your brain: “out” (`出`) + “go away” (`去`). It's used when you are inside a place (a room, a house, a building) and you are talking about someone or something moving to the outside. The key is that the direction of movement is away from you.

• 出 (chū): This character is a pictograph. It originally depicted a foot stepping over a line or a plant sprouting from the ground. In both cases, the core idea is “to emerge,” “to exit,” or “to go out.”
• 去 (qù): This character signifies movement “to go” or “to leave,” specifically away from where the speaker is.
• Combined Meaning: When you put them together, `出去 (chūqù)` creates a very specific and visual meaning: to exit a place and go away from the speaker's vantage point. It's a precise description of direction that English often leaves to context.

While `出去` is a common utility word, its use highlights a key feature of the Chinese language: a strong emphasis on spatial relationships and perspective. English uses prepositions and context (e.g., “Go out of the room”). Chinese bakes the speaker's perspective directly into the verb itself. Compare `出去 (chūqù)` with its counterpart, `出来 (chūlái)`.

• `出去 (chūqù)`: Go out (away from me).
• `出来 (chūlái)`: Come out (towards me).

This distinction isn't just grammatical; it forces the speaker to constantly be aware of their position relative to the listener and the action. This is a subtle reflection of a worldview where relationships and relative positions (not just in space, but socially) are very important. While not as profound as a concept like `关系 (guānxi)`, it's a foundational linguistic habit that shapes how speakers frame the world around them.

`出去` is used constantly in daily life, ranging from neutral descriptions to forceful commands.

• Social Invitations: The most common and friendly use is inviting someone to go out for fun.
  • `我们出去玩儿吧！` (Wǒmen chūqù wánr ba!) - Let's go out and have fun!
• Giving Commands: The tone makes all the difference. Said calmly, it's a simple instruction. Said harshly, it's a strong command to “get out.”
  • (To a dog) `狗狗，出去！` (Gǒugou, chūqù!) - Doggy, go out!
  • (In an argument) `你给我出去！` (Nǐ gěi wǒ chūqù!) - Get out! (The `给我` makes it much stronger and more personal).
• Describing an Action: Simply stating that someone has left a location.
  • `他刚出去了。` (Tā gāng chūqù le.) - He just went out.
• Taking an Object Out: When used with an object, it describes the action of moving that object from inside to outside.
  • `请把垃圾拿出去了。` (Qǐng bǎ lājī ná chūqù le.) - Please take the trash out.

• Example 1:
  • 天气这么好，我们出去走走吧！
  • Pinyin: Tiānqì zhème hǎo, wǒmen chūqù zǒu zǒu ba!
  • English: The weather is so nice, let's go out for a walk!
  • Analysis: This is a classic, friendly suggestion. The speaker and listener are both inside, planning to go outside together.
• Example 2:
  • 他好像生气了，一句话没说就出去了。
  • Pinyin: Tā hǎoxiàng shēngqì le, yí jù huà méi shuō jiù chūqù le.
  • English: It seems like he got angry; he went out without saying a word.
  • Analysis: Here, `出去` describes the action of someone leaving the room or building where the speaker is.
• Example 3:
  • 你出去的时候，可以顺便买瓶牛奶吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ chūqù de shíhou, kěyǐ shùnbiàn mǎi píng niúnǎi ma?
  • English: When you go out, could you buy a bottle of milk on the way?
  • Analysis: A common, practical question. `出去的时候` means “at the time you go out.”
• Example 4:
  • 别在房间里抽烟，要抽就出去抽。
  • Pinyin: Bié zài fángjiān lǐ chōuyān, yào chōu jiù chūqù chōu.
  • English: Don't smoke in the room. If you want to smoke, go outside to smoke.
  • Analysis: A clear instruction or rule. The speaker is establishing a boundary.
• Example 5:
  • 你先出去，我换件衣服马上就来。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiān chūqù, wǒ huàn jiàn yīfu mǎshàng jiù lái.
  • English: You go out first, I'll change my clothes and be there right away.
  • Analysis: This shows a sequence of events. The speaker is telling the listener (who is in the same room) to exit ahead of them.
• Example 6:
  • 他把车从车库里开出去了。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ chē cóng chēkù lǐ kāi chūqù le.
  • English: He drove the car out of the garage.
  • Analysis: This example shows the structure `Verb + 出去`. The verb `开 (kāi)` meaning “to drive” is combined with `出去` to mean “to drive out.”
• Example 7:
  • 妈妈不让我晚上一个人出去。
  • Pinyin: Māma bú ràng wǒ wǎnshang yí ge rén chūqù.
  • English: My mom doesn't let me go out alone at night.
  • Analysis: `出去` is used here to mean “go out” in the general sense of leaving the house for social activities.
• Example 8:
  • 这个秘密千万不能说出去。
  • Pinyin: Zhège mìmì qiānwàn bù néng shuō chūqù.
  • English: This secret absolutely must not be told. (Literally: “…must not be spoken out.”)
  • Analysis: A more abstract usage. Here, “out” means out into the public domain, not just a physical space. It's about information “getting out.”
• Example 9:
  • 经理，王先生在外面等您，您要现在出去见他吗？
  • Pinyin: Jīnglǐ, Wáng xiānsheng zài wàimiàn děng nín, nín yào xiànzài chūqù jiàn tā ma?
  • English: Manager, Mr. Wang is waiting outside for you. Do you want to go out to see him now?
  • Analysis: A perfect example from a workplace context. The speaker (an assistant) is inside with the manager, talking about going outside.
• Example 10:
  • 请把这些箱子搬出去。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē xiāngzi bān chūqù.
  • English: Please move these boxes out.
  • Analysis: A classic use of the `把 (bǎ)` structure to show disposal of an object. The action is `搬 (bān)` (to move), and the direction is `出去` (out and away).

The single biggest mistake for learners is confusing `出去 (chūqù)` with `出来 (chūlái)`. The choice depends entirely on the speaker's location.

• Rule: If the movement is away from the speaker, use 去 (qù). If the movement is towards the speaker, use 来 (lái).
• Scenario 1: You are inside your apartment, talking to your roommate.
  • Correct: 我们出去吃饭吧。 (Wǒmen chūqù chīfàn ba.) - Let's go out to eat. (Movement is away from your current location.)
  • Incorrect: 我们出来吃饭吧。 (Wǒmen chūlái chīfàn ba.) - This would imply you are already outside asking your roommate to join you.
• Scenario 2: You are standing on the street, calling your friend who is inside their house.
  • Correct: 你快出来吧！ (Nǐ kuài chūlái ba!) - Come out quickly! (Movement is towards your current location.)
  • Incorrect: 你快出去吧！ (Nǐ kuài chūqù ba!) - This would sound like you're on the phone with them while you are both inside, telling them to leave the house. It's confusing and illogical if you are waiting outside.

• 出来 (chūlái) - The direct counterpart: “to come out” (movement towards the speaker).
• 进去 (jìnqù) - A direct antonym: “to go in” (movement into a space, away from the speaker).
• 进来 (jìnlái) - A direct antonym: “to come in” (movement into a space, towards the speaker).
• 出门 (chūmén) - Literally “to exit the door.” A more specific term for leaving one's home, especially for the day (to go to work, school, or on an errand).
• 离开 (líkāi) - To leave; to depart. A more general and slightly more formal term that can be used for leaving a place, a person, or a job.
• 外出 (wàichū) - A more formal, often written term for “to go out.” You might see it on a sign: “我外出了” (Wǒ wàichū le) - “I have gone out.”
• 下去 (xiàqù) - To go down (away from the speaker).
• 上来 (shànglái) - To come up (towards the speaker).
• 方向补语 (fāngxiàng bǔyǔ) - The grammatical name for this entire category of words, meaning “Directional Complement.” Understanding this concept is key to fluency.