Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== lái: 来 - To Come, To Arrive, Future ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** lai Chinese, meaning of lai, how to use lai in Chinese, come in Chinese, lai vs qu, Chinese grammar lai, HSK 1 words, to come in Mandarin, basic Chinese verbs, lai meaning * **Summary:** Discover the complete meaning of **来 (lái)**, one of the most fundamental and versatile words in Mandarin Chinese. This guide breaks down "lái," which means "to come," and explores its other crucial uses, from indicating future actions and ordering food like a local, to its role in expressing potential. Learn the critical difference between 来 (lái) and 去 (qù) and master this essential HSK 1 verb with practical examples and cultural insights. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** lái * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Particle * **HSK Level:** HSK 1 * **Concise Definition:** To come, to arrive; used to indicate an intention or a future action. * **In a Nutshell:** At its heart, **来 (lái)** is the simple verb "to come," the direct opposite of "to go" (去 qù). It describes movement toward the speaker. However, its true power lies in its flexibility. It's used to say "Let me..." (我来...), to order food and drinks (来一个...), and to describe time (未来, the future). Mastering **来** is a key step to sounding more natural in everyday Chinese conversation. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **来 (lái):** The character is a pictograph originally depicting a stalk of wheat or grain. Anciently, grain was a vital crop that was harvested and **brought** to the community. This concept of "being brought" or "arriving" evolved into the character's modern meaning of "to come." When you see **来**, you can picture something moving towards you, just like a vital harvest. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * The most significant cultural nuance of **来 (lái)** lies in its strict **speaker-centric perspective**. In English, you might call a friend who is at home and say, "I'm coming over," even though you are moving *away* from your current location. This is impossible in Chinese. * The use of **来 (lái)** vs. its opposite **去 (qù)** is determined by the direction of movement relative to the speaker (or the speaker's conceptual "base," like their home or office). If the movement is toward the speaker, you must use **来**. If it's away, you must use **去**. * This reflects a less flexible but more precise way of describing movement that is rooted in one's own position. This principle extends to other directional complements like **上来 (shànglái)** (to come up) and **上去 (shàngqù)** (to go up). Understanding this perspective is crucial for avoiding common beginner mistakes and truly thinking in Chinese. * Additionally, the common phrase **"我来" (Wǒ lái)**, meaning "Let me do it," subtly reflects a proactive and helpful attitude, often used among friends, family, or colleagues to offer assistance, such as paying a bill or carrying a bag. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **As a Simple Verb of Motion:** The most basic usage, meaning "to come." * e.g., 你什么时候来？ (Nǐ shénme shíhòu lái?) - When are you coming? * **To Indicate Intention ("Let me..."):** Very common in spoken Chinese to introduce an action you are about to perform. * e.g., 我来介绍一下，这是我的朋友。 (Wǒ lái jièshào yīxià, zhè shì wǒ de péngyǒu.) - Let me introduce you, this is my friend. * **In Ordering Food and Drinks:** A casual, indispensable phrase for ordering in restaurants or from street vendors. It's the equivalent of "I'll have..." or "Give me..." * e.g., 服务员，来两瓶啤酒！ (Fúwùyuán, lái liǎng píng píjiǔ!) - Waiter, bring two bottles of beer! * **With Other Verbs to Show Purpose:** Indicates the purpose of coming to a place. * e.g., 我来中国学中文。(Wǒ lái Zhōngguó xué Zhōngwén.) - I came to China to study Chinese. * **To Indicate an Approximate Number or Time:** Placed after a number, it means "around," "about," or "more than." * e.g., 他看起来二十来岁。(Tā kànqǐlái èrshí lái suì.) - He looks like he's in his twenties. * **As a Potential Complement:** Attached to a verb with 得 (de) or 不 (bu), it indicates whether an action can or cannot be successfully done. * e.g., 这个工作我做得来。(Zhège gōngzuò wǒ zuò de lái.) - I can handle this job. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 他明天会**来**我家。 * Pinyin: Tā míngtiān huì **lái** wǒ jiā. * English: He will come to my house tomorrow. * Analysis: The most basic usage of **来** as a verb of motion, indicating movement toward the speaker's location (my house). * **Example 2:** * 你**来**一下，我有个东西给你看。 * Pinyin: Nǐ **lái** yīxià, wǒ yǒu ge dōngxi gěi nǐ kàn. * English: Come here for a moment, I have something to show you. * Analysis: A common command or request. "一下 (yīxià)" softens the tone, making it less of a direct order. * **Example 3:** * 老板，**来**一碗牛肉面。 * Pinyin: Lǎobǎn, **lái** yī wǎn niúròu miàn. * English: Boss, (I'll have) one bowl of beef noodles. * Analysis: Essential colloquial usage for ordering. "来" here means "give me" or "I'll have." It's friendly and direct. * **Example 4:** * 别担心，我**来**付钱。 * Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, wǒ **lái** fùqián. * English: Don't worry, let me pay. * Analysis: Here, "我来 (wǒ lái)" means "I'll do it" or "Let me handle it." It's a proactive offer. * **Example 5:** * 我们是**来**这里旅游的。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen shì **lái** zhèlǐ lǚyóu de. * English: We came here to travel. * Analysis: This sentence uses the 是...的 (shì...de) structure to emphasize the purpose of the action. **来** shows the purpose of being in "here." * **Example 6:** * 未**来**你想做什么？ * Pinyin: Wèi**lái** nǐ xiǎng zuò shénme? * English: What do you want to do in the future? * Analysis: **来** is part of the noun "未来 (wèilái)," which literally means "not yet come," a perfect description of the future. * **Example 7:** * 这首歌我学不**来**，太难了。 * Pinyin: Zhè shǒu gē wǒ xué bu **lái**, tài nán le. * English: I can't manage to learn this song, it's too difficult. * Analysis: A more advanced use. "学不来 (xué bu lái)" is a potential complement, meaning "unable to learn." The opposite would be "学得来 (xué de lái)." * **Example 8:** * 这本书我看了十多遍**来**。 * Pinyin: Zhè běn shū wǒ kàn le shí duō biàn **lái**. * English: I've read this book more than ten times. * Analysis: Used after a duration or quantity, **来** can mean "and counting" or "up to this point," emphasizing the accumulation of time or repetitions. This is a slightly more advanced and literary usage. * **Example 9:** * 快点！我们**来**不及了！ * Pinyin: Kuài diǎn! Wǒmen **lái**bují le! * English: Hurry up! We don't have enough time! (We're too late!) * Analysis: **来不及 (láibují)** is a fixed phrase meaning "there isn't enough time to do something." It's extremely common. * **Example 10:** * 你回**来**的时候，记得买牛奶。 * Pinyin: Nǐ huí**lái** de shíhòu, jìde mǎi niúnǎi. * English: When you come back, remember to buy milk. * Analysis: **来** is used as a directional complement. "回 (huí)" means to return, and **来** specifies the direction is toward the speaker. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **The Golden Rule: 来 (lái) vs. 去 (qù)** * This is the single biggest point of confusion for learners. The choice depends entirely on the speaker's location. * **Scenario:** You are at home. Your friend is at the library. You call your friend. * **Correct (You going to the library):** 我等一下**去**图书馆找你。(Wǒ děngyīxià **qù** túshūguǎn zhǎo nǐ.) - I'll **go** to the library to find you later. (Movement away from you). * **Incorrect:** 我等一下**来**图书馆找你。 * **Correct (Your friend coming to your home):** 你什么时候**来**我家？(Nǐ shénme shíhòu **lái** wǒjiā?) - When are you **coming** to my house? (Movement toward you). * **Incorrect:** 你什么时候**去**我家？ * **"Let me" vs. "I come"** * Don't confuse "我来" (Wǒ lái) meaning "Let me do it" with "我来" meaning "I am coming." Context is everything. If someone is struggling with a heavy box, and you say "我来!", it clearly means "Let me help." If you're on the phone, it means "I'm coming." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[去]] (qù) - The direct antonym of **来**. It means "to go," indicating movement away from the speaker. * [[回来]] (huílái) - To come back. A compound directional verb combining "return" (回) and "come" (来). * [[过来]] (guòlái) - To come over. Indicates movement across a space towards the speaker. * [[起来]] (qǐlái) - To get up; to stand up. As a complement, it can also mean the start of an action (e.g., 笑起来 - xiàoqǐlái - to start laughing). * [[未来]] (wèilái) - The future. A noun formed from "not yet" (未) and "come" (来). * [[原来]] (yuánlái) - Originally; as it turns out. Used to express a sudden realization. * [[来不及]] (láibují) - To be too late; there's not enough time. * [[来得及]] (láidejí) - The opposite of a above; there is still time. * [[来源]] (láiyuán) - Source; origin. Where something "comes from." * [[看起来]] (kànqǐlái) - It seems; it looks as if. A common phrase to express an opinion based on appearance.