到 (dào) — to arrive; to (a destination)

到 (dào)

到 means "to arrive" as a main verb and serves as a result complement attached to verbs to indicate that the action successfully reached its target.

Meanings

1. [verb] To arrive; to reach (a place or time).
2. [result complement] Attached to a verb (V + 到) to show the action achieved its goal or reached a point.

Example Sentences

他到了。 Tā dào le. He has arrived.

我们到北京了。 Wǒmen dào Běijīng le. We have arrived in Beijing.

你看到那个人了吗？ Nǐ kàn dào nà gè rén le ma? Did you see that person? (看到 = managed to see)

我听到一个奇怪的声音。 Wǒ tīng dào yī gè qíguài de shēngyīn. I heard a strange sound. (听到 = heard successfully)

Usage Notes

As a main verb, 到 is used alone or with a destination: 到家 (arrive home), 到北京 (arrive in Beijing). As a result complement, 到 attaches directly to the preceding verb without a space: 看到 (see successfully), 听到 (hear successfully), 找到 (find successfully), 买到 (manage to buy). The complement use is very common — it signals that the action was not only attempted but achieved. Negation of the complement form uses 没: 没看到 (did not see).

Collocations or Common Phrases

Memory Hook

到 contains 刀 (knife) — a knife arriving at its target means it has reached exactly where it was aimed.