Compound Directional Complements
趋向补语2
Use compound directional complements to express complex movement directions
Combine a main verb with a directional verb (出, 过, 回, 进, 起, 上, 下) and a perspective indicator (来 toward speaker, 去 away from speaker). This creates compound directional complements that describe complex movements.
来 indicates movement toward the speaker; 去 indicates movement away. Objects can be inserted between the directional verb and 来/去 when the object is a place: 走进教室去. For non-place objects, they usually go after the full complement: 拿出来一本书 or 拿了一本书出来.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Compound Directional Complements (趋向补语2)
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Understanding 趋向补语2
Compound directional complements are one of the most challenging but rewarding aspects of Chinese grammar. They combine three elements: a main action verb, a direction verb, and a perspective word (来 or 去). For example, 拿出来 means "take out (toward the speaker)" — 拿 (take) + 出 (out) + 来 (toward me). These complements tell the listener not only what action was performed but also the exact direction and perspective of the movement. Chinese has a rich system of these: 出来/出去 (out toward/away), 进来/进去 (in toward/away), 上来/上去 (up toward/away), 下来/下去 (down toward/away), 回来/回去 (back toward/away), 过来/过去 (over toward/away), and 起来 (up/beginning). Mastering these will dramatically improve your ability to describe physical movements and actions in vivid detail.
Key Points
- 出来 (out toward speaker) / 出去 (out away from speaker): 他从房间里走出来了.
- 进来 (in toward speaker) / 进去 (in away from speaker): 请进来吧!
- 回来 (back toward speaker) / 回去 (back away from speaker): 他回来了.
- 上来 (up toward speaker) / 上去 (up away from speaker): 你上来吧!
- 下来 (down toward speaker) / 下去 (down away from speaker): 行李拿下去吧.
- 过来 (over toward speaker) / 过去 (over away from speaker): 汽车开过来了.
- 起来 (up/start): 他站起来了 (He stood up).
- Place objects insert between direction and 来/去: 走进教室去.
The distinction between 来 (toward speaker) and 去 (away from speaker) reflects the Chinese emphasis on spatial perspective in communication. Chinese speakers always consider their position relative to the action. This perspective-based thinking also appears in how Chinese people give directions and describe locations.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
他从书包里拿了一本书出来。
He took a book out of his backpack.
Object between verb and complement
他慢慢地走出教室去了。
He slowly walked out of the classroom.
Place object inserted: 教室
汽车开过来了，咱们准备上车。
The car is coming over; let us get ready to board.
我昨天买回来了一些水果。
I bought some fruit and brought it back yesterday.
你的电脑拿上来了没有？
Did you bring your computer up?
他突然跑上二楼去了。
He suddenly ran up to the second floor.
Place object 二楼 inserted
行李你帮我拿下去吧。
Please help me take the luggage down.
她从地上捡起来一个钱包。
She picked up a wallet from the ground.
Common Mistakes
When the object is a place, it inserts between the direction word and 来/去: 走出 + 教室 + 来. Do not put the place after 来.
The car is coming toward us (the speakers), so use 来 (toward speaker), not 去 (away from speaker).
Non-place objects can go after the full complement (拿出来一本书) or after the verb with the complement at the end (拿了一本书出来). Do not put 了 before the complement when the object follows.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Always ask yourself: is the movement toward me (来) or away from me (去)? This determines your choice.
Place objects get special treatment — they slip between the direction word and 来/去: 走进房间来.
Non-place objects go either after the full complement (拿出来一本书) or can wrap around it (拿了一本书出来).
Start by mastering the most common pairs: 出来/出去, 回来/回去, 进来/进去. Then add 上/下/过.
Homework
Write ten sentences using different compound directional complements. Include: two with 出来/出去, two with 进来/进去, two with 回来/回去, two with 上来/上去, and two with 起来. At least three sentences should include place objects inserted into the complement.