HSK Guide

来來 lái — to come

lái (second tone, rising)lai2

Traditional: 來

to come

HSK 1· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 1· Three-band, nine-level standardverb
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Meanings

  1. to come

    To move toward the place where the speaker is. The choice between 来 and 去 depends on where the speaker stands, not on the listener as it sometimes does in English.

    verb

  2. to come and do something

    verb

Example sentences

  • 他明天来我家。他明天來我家。Tā (first tone, high and level) míngtiān (second tone, rising) lái (second tone, rising) wǒ (third tone, dipping) jiā. (first tone, high and level)···

    He’s coming to my place tomorrow.

  • 老师来了。老師來了。Lǎoshī (third tone, dipping) lái (second tone, rising) le. (neutral tone)···

    The teacher is here.

Common mistakes

  • Not quite我明天来你家。

    Correct我明天去你家。

    Say 来 only for movement toward where you are as you speak. Going to the listener’s home, or anywhere else, is 去.

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