7.7: Lesson 6 Grammar - Using the verb 去 (qù)
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You can use 去 (qù) whenever you have somewhere to go. It's pretty easy to get a handle on this verb; the only trick is getting used to not needing a word for "to" before the destination.
去 (qù) with Just a Place
The verb 去 (qù) means "to go," and is an easy way to talk about going to places.
Structure
Subj. + 去 + [Place]
Notice that you don't need a word to express "to."
Examples
- 我去公司。
Wǒ qù gōngsī.
I'm going to the office.
[公司 literally means "company" but is often used to mean "office.”]
- 你去洗手间吗?
Nǐ qù xǐshǒujiān ma?
Are you going to the restroom?
- 下午我会去超市。
Xiàwǔ wǒ huì qù chāoshì.
In the afternoon, I'll go to the supermarket.
- 我们现在去公园。
Wǒmen xiànzài qù gōngyuán.
We're going to the park now.
- 晚上我们去酒吧。你去吗?
Wǎnshang wǒmen qù jiǔbā. Nǐ qù ma?
Tonight we're going to the bar. Are you going?
You can also use 去 (qù) for asking questions. (Note the use of question words and question particles.)
- A: 你去哪儿?
Nǐ qù nǎr ?
Where are you going?
B: 我去学校。
Wǒ qù xuéxiào .
I am going to school.
- A: 你去我家吗?
Nǐ qù wǒ jiā ma ?
Are you going to my place?
B: 我去。
Wǒ qù.
Yes. [literally, "I'm going.”]
When answering a yes-no question that uses 去 (qù) you don't need anything following it. However, it's important to note that you cannot just use 去 (qù) when there is no context.
去 (qù) with a Verb
Instead of a place, 去 (qù) can also be followed by some sort of action. The structure then means "go to do (something)," and "go and do (something)."
Structure
Subj. + 去 + Verb
Examples
- 我去工作。
Wǒ qù gōngzuò.
I'm going to work.
- 他去上课。
Tā qù shàngkè.
He's going to class.
- 你想去旅行吗?
Nǐ xiǎng qù lǚxíng ma?
Would you like to go travel?
- 我们去吃饭吧。
Wǒmen qù chīfàn ba.
Let's go eat.
- 九点我们去买。
Jiǔ diǎn wǒmen qù mǎi.
At 9 o'clock, we'll go buy it.
[adapted from AllSet Learning Chinese Grammar Wiki, Creative Commons License BY-NC-SA 3.0]
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