来 / 去lái / qù

Directional verbs 来 (lái - come) and 去 (qù - go)

Meaning: To come (towards speaker) / To go (away from speaker)

Pattern

来 (lái) and 去 (qù) are the two primary motion verbs in HSK 1, distinguished by the speaker's point of reference:
1.
来 (lái - 'come'): movement TOWARD the speaker's current location.
Example: 你来我家吧!
(Come to my house!).
2.
去 (qù - 'go')

•来 = come (toward speaker); 去 = go (away). Follow 来/去 directly with the place without a preposition.

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

•Adding an extra preposition before the place: WRONG 我去到中国 → RIGHT 我去中国.

•Confusing 来 and 去: saying 我来中国 while still outside China → RIGHT 我去中国.

Combine Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Practice, Listening, Hanzi Writing, and Mock Exams at HSK 1 to master all skills together.