Home
Grammar Points
Using 来 / 去 ("lai2" and "qu4") when "verbing around"

Using 来 / 去 ("lai2" and "qu4") when "verbing around"

来 / 去 lái

Grammar

HSK 4

Structure

Verb + 来 + Verb + 去

Definition

使用“来”和“去”表示动作的反复、来回或随意进行，通常构成“V来V去”结构，强调动作的重复或方向的变化。

Using "来" (lái) and "去" (qù) to indicate repetitive, back-and-forth, or casual action, typically in the pattern "V来V去", emphasizing repetition or change of direction.

Usage

这个结构通常用于描述动作的反复进行或在不同方向之间来回移动，有时也引申为反复思考或讨论某件事。常见动词如：走、跑、飞、看、想、说等。

This pattern is often used to describe actions done repeatedly or moving back and forth between directions, sometimes extended to repetitive thinking or discussion. Common verbs: walk, run, fly, look, think, talk, etc.

Examples

1 他在房间里走来走去，显得很焦虑。(He is pacing back and forth in the room, looking very anxious.)
2 小鸟在树上飞来飞去，快乐地歌唱。(The little birds are flying around in the tree, singing happily.)
3 我们讨论了很长时间，还是想不出办法。(We discussed it back and forth for a long time, but still couldn't think of a solution.)
4 他在商店里看来看去，最后什么都没买。(He looked around the store, but ended up buying nothing.)
5 别在街上跑来跑去，小心车！(Don't run around in the street, watch out for cars!)

Put it into practice

Exam-style HSK drills with instant scoring and explanations.

Find my HSK level

Free · about 3 minutes · no account needed