The verb 来 (lái) can be used as a "dummy verb," similar to the way "do" is used in English.

Structure

The structure for using 来 as a dummy verb is very basic. Usually it is a very short phrase, kind of like "your turn!," "let me give it a shot!," or "you do it!" in English. Usually it is used with 你 or 我 as the subject, and it ends with the 来. Sometimes it can end with a 吧.

A scenario: Imagine you are with your some friends making dinner. There is a bottle of Chinese pickles that you want to open, but can't because the lid is so tight. You start passing it around to see who can open it, and no one is able to, until your body-builder friend comes in and says, "我来!" He is saying, "Let me do it!"

Examples

你来！ Nǐ lái ba.
You do it!
我来吧。 Wǒ lái ba.
Let me do it.
让他自己来。 Ràng tā zìjǐ lái.
Let him do it himself.
老师，我来读。 Lāoshī, wǒ lái dú.
Teacher, let me read it.
我来看看。 Wǒ lái kànkan.
Let me take a look.
我来想想。 Wǒ lái xiǎngxiang.
Let me think about it.
你来说。 Nǐ lái shuō.
You say it.
我来抱抱。 Ràng wǒ lái bàobao.
Let me hold it.
你写得好看，你来吧。 Nǐ xiě de hǎokàn, nǐ lái ba.
You write well. You write it.
如果你觉得我做饭不好吃，你来做！ Rúguǒ nǐ juéde wǒ zuòfàn bù hǎochī, nǐ lái zuò!
If you don't think my food is tasty, then you cook!

Contents

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Academic Articles