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3.2.5: Using the verb "qu"

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    44147

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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

    • 公司 。公司 literally means "company" but is often used to mean "office." gōngsī.I'm going to the office.
    • 洗手间 吗?Nǐ xǐshǒujiān ma?Are you going to the restroom?
    • 下午 我 会 超市。Xiàwǔ wǒ huì chāoshì.In the afternoon, I'll go to the supermarket.
    • 我们 现在 公园。Wǒmen xiànzài gōngyuán.We're going to the park now.
    • 晚上 我们 酒吧 。你 去 吗 ?Wǎnshang wǒmen 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: 哪儿 ?Nǐ nǎr ?Where are you going?
    • B: 学校 。Wǒ xuéxiào .I am going to school.
    • A: 我 家 ?Nǐ wǒ jiā ma ?Are you going to my place?
    • B:literally, "I'm going.".Yes.

    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

    • 工作 。Wǒ gōngzuò.I'm going to work.
    • 上课 。Tā shàngkè.He's going to class.
    • 你 想 旅行 吗?Nǐ xiǎng lǚxíng ma?Would you like to go travel?
    • 我们 吃饭 吧 。Wǒmen chīfàn ba.Let's go eat.
    • 九 点 我们 买 。Jiǔ diǎn wǒmen mǎi.At 9 o'clock, we'll go buy it.

    This page titled 3.2.5: Using the verb "qu" is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by .

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