Ever told someone to “come in” or “carry it upstairs”? In Mandarin, tiny words like 来 and 去 attach to verbs to show direction. These are directional complements (趋向补语), and they make your Chinese sound natural in real-life moments: opening doors, moving things, meeting friends.

In this post, you’ll learn the core patterns (来 vs 去, 上下进出, 回, 过, 起), how to place objects and locations, and the subtle meaning of complements like 出来 and 起来. Along the way, quick exercises will help you use them confidently.

What are directional complements?

Directional complements come after a verb to show where the action moves relative to the speaker.

• 来 = toward the speaker (or a reference point near the speaker)
• 去 = away from the speaker

They combine with direction words:

• 上、下、进、出、回、过、起 + 来/去
• Examples: 上来/上去, 进来/进去, 出来/出去, 回来/回去, 过来/过去, 起来

You’ll often see them with action verbs like 拿 (take), 搬 (move), 走 (walk), 推 (push), 带 (bring/take).

Quick practice: Toward me or away?

Use 过来 (come over) for toward the speaker, and 过去 (go over) for away from the speaker. These are super common in daily life.

请把椅子搬。

你能把文件拿给经理吗？

The big pairs in action

Here are the most useful pairs, with everyday examples:

• 上来 / 上去 (up toward/away)

  • 把行李搬上来。 Move the luggage up here (toward me).
  • 把行李搬上去。 Move the luggage up there (away).

• 下来 / 下去 (down toward/away)

  • 你先下来，我们在楼下。 You come down (toward us). We’re downstairs.
  • 他还在楼上，你上去叫他。 He’s still upstairs; go up and call him.

• 进来 / 进去 (in toward/away)

  • 请进来坐。 Please come in and have a seat.
  • 别在门口堵着，先进去。 Don’t block the door; go in first.

• 出来 / 出去 (out toward/away)

  • 从房间里出来说话。 Come out of the room and talk.
  • 下班后我先出去买咖啡。 After work I’ll go out to get coffee.

• 回来 / 回去 (return toward/away)

  • 我八点回来。 I’ll be back at 8.
  • 太晚了，我们回去吧。 It’s too late—let’s head back.

• 过来 / 过去 (move over toward/away)

  • 你过来帮我一下。 Come over and help me.
  • 把电脑搬过去，那边有插座。 Move the computer over there; there’s an outlet.

• 起来 (upward; also “start to…”) 见下文细节

  • 站起来。 Stand up.
  • 天气热起来了。 It’s started to get hot.

Dialog: Organizing a room

Reorder the conversation to make it flow naturally.

Subtle meanings you’ll hear

Some directional complements extend beyond physical motion:

• 出来 can mean “emerge to be seen/understood.”

  • 我看出来他很累。 I can tell he’s tired.
  • 你能想出来一个解决办法吗？ Can you think up a solution?

• 起来 can mark the start of an action or upward movement.

  • 大家站起来。 Everyone stand up.
  • 天慢慢暖和起来了。 It’s gradually becoming warm.

请把杯子拿去我这儿。 → 请把杯子拿到我这儿来。 Use 到 + 地点 + 来/去 to anchor movement relative to a place near the speaker.

Placement and particles (了/着/过)

Directional complements behave like other verb complements:

• After the complement, you can add 了 (completed action): 我把书拿过来了。
• Or add another verb phrase: 我们进去看看。 Let’s go in and take a look.
• Or use 过 (experiential) with the main verb, not the complement alone: 我去过那家店，服务员常常走出来推荐新品。

Tip: If both location and orientation are clear from context, you can omit one:

• 你过来一下帮我。 (No location stated; obviously “to my side.”)
• 到楼上去吧。 (No main verb; movement is clear.)

Mini checklist for choosing 来/去

• Is the movement toward the speaker? Use 来.
• Is it away from the speaker? Use 去.
• Add 到/从 + 地点 when a place matters.
• With objects (把 + O): 把 + O + V + Direction (e.g., 把桌子推过去)。
• Consider extended meanings: 出来 (figure out), 起来 (begin). Context tells you.

One more practice burst

Try these to solidify your sense of orientation and place.