====== chūqù: 出去 - To Go Out, To Exit ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  *   **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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  *   **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**.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  *   **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.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
`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 Sentences =====
  *   **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).
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
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.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[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.