Compound Directional Complements
Compound directional complements combine a directional verb with 来/去 to show movement direction.
Pattern
Verb + 上/下/进/出/回/过/起 + 来/去
Explanation
Compound directional complements are formed by adding a simple directional word (上, 下, 进, 出, 回, 过, 起) plus 来 (toward speaker) or 去 (away from speaker) after the main verb.
These complements can also have extended/figurative meanings. For example, 想起来 means to recall, 看出来 means to figure out, and 坚持下去 means to keep going.
Examples
他从楼上跑下来了。
Tā cóng lóu shàng pǎo xià lái le.
He ran down from upstairs.
我突然想起来了。
Wǒ tūrán xiǎng qǐ lái le.
I suddenly remembered.
请把书拿出来。
Qǐng bǎ shū ná chū lái.
Please take the book out.
Common Mistakes
他跑来下了。
他跑下来了。
The order must be Verb + directional word + 来/去, not Verb + 来/去 + directional word.
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