Using the verb "qu" "去"
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.
Contents
去 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 。
公司 literally means "company" but is often used to mean "office."
Wǒ qù gōngsī.
I'm going to the 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.
- B: 你 去 我家 吗 ?
Nǐ qù wǒjiā ma ?
Are you going to my place?
- A: 我 去 。 literally, "I'm going."
Wǒ qù .
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 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.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (p. 106)
- 现代汉语八百词(增订本) (pp. 455-6)
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (p. 67)