来 (lái) — to come
HSK 1 | verb | movement toward the speaker's location
来 (lái)
来 means "to come," indicating movement toward the speaker or toward the place the speaker considers the reference point. It is the opposite of 去 (qù). Use 来 when someone is moving in your direction; use 去 when someone is moving away from you toward another place.
Meanings
- [verb] To come (movement toward the speaker).
Example Sentences
你什么时候来我家？ Nǐ shénme shíhou lái wǒ jiā? When are you coming to my home?
他明天来北京。 Tā míngtiān lái Běijīng. He is coming to Beijing tomorrow.
快来，我们要出发了！ Kuài lái, wǒmen yào chūfā le! Come quickly, we are about to set off!
她来了！ Tā lái le! She has come! She is here!
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 来了 | (someone/something) has arrived |
| 进来 | come in |
| 回来 | come back |
| 过来 | come over |
| 来得及 | there is still time, not too late |
| 本来 | originally, as it was |
Memory Hook
来 looks like a person standing with arms open, welcoming someone who is approaching. The movement is always toward you.