来 (lái) — to come | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

At HSK 1, 来 is the basic verb "to come" — motion toward the speaker. Heavier siblings like 降临 are for grand/abstract events, and 前来 is formal/respectful.

verb

to come

Examples

来。
Tā lái le.
He came.
来？
Nǐ lái ma?
Are you coming?
，来。
Wǒ qù, tā lái.
I go, he comes.

Grammar

Full explanation →

Appears in

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来 (lái) — to come

Definition

Examples

Grammar

Directional verbs 来 and 去

Using 来 to connect two verb phrases

Using 来 as a dummy verb

Using 来 and 去 when "verbing around"

Expressing "ever since" with 以来

Comparisons with 比起

Using 到 to mean "to go to"

Direction complement

来 (lái) — to come

Definition

Examples

Grammar

Directional verbs 来 and 去

Using 来 to connect two verb phrases

Using 来 as a dummy verb

Using 来 and 去 when "verbing around"

Expressing "ever since" with 以来

Comparisons with 比起

Using 到 to mean "to go to"

Direction complement