来
lái
The English phrase "come" is translated into Chinese as 来 (lái).
The verb 来 is used to express the idea of arriving or appearing. In different contexts, it can be expanded into other expressions: 过来 (guò lái) is a compound verb meaning "to come over," typically implying movement toward the speaker's location. You may also hear the colloquial phrase 来一下 (lái yī xià), which is used to ask someone to "come here for a moment" or to request that someone performs a quick action.
Meaning: to arrive, to appear (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that a person has already arrived or that the action of coming has been completed, you can add the particle 了 (le) after the verb to form 来了 (lái le).
How do you pronounce it?
lái
Did you know?
- The character 来 originally depicted a wheat plant in ancient scripts, referring to the arrival of wheat seeds from Central Asia.
- In a restaurant, you might use 来 to 'order' a dish rather than using a specific verb for 'to want' or 'to buy'. For example, saying 来一个 (lái yī gè) literally asks for 'one to come', effectively meaning 'bring me one'.
- The word 来 is frequently used as a filler or a way to signal that you are about to perform an action, similar to how an English speaker might say 'Let me…' before starting a task.
Examples in context
- 我要回来了。I'll come back.This sentence shows how to express returning using 来.Tatoeba #398080 by GlossaMatik, translation #261982 by CK
- 吉姆还没来。Jim hasn't come yet.This sentence uses 来 to indicate that someone has not arrived yet.Tatoeba #402785 by GlossaMatik, translation #53304 by CN
- 我明天能来。I can come tomorrow.This sentence uses 来 to express the ability to come at a future time.Tatoeba #421382 by GlossaMatik, translation #421381 by CM
- 若先生，请进。Mr. Ruo, please come in.
- 请过来一下，我有个问题要问你。Please come over here for a moment, I have a question to ask you.
- 欢迎来我家，进来吧。Welcome to my house, please come in.
- 快来这里，我有好消息。Come here quickly, I have good news.
- 喂，过来聊聊嘛。Hey, come over and chat.
- 快过来吧，我们正在准备晚餐。Come over quickly, we're preparing dinner.
- 400 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wei and Yuting are waiting for a friend at a cafe.
- 伟 Wei他还没来吗？Tā hái méi lái ma?Has he not arrived yet?
- 雨婷 Yuting还没，他可能堵车了。Hái méi, tā kěnéng dǔchē le.Not yet, he might be stuck in traffic.
- 伟 Wei那我们再等一会儿。Nà wǒmen zài děng yīhuìr.Then let's wait a little longer.
- 雨婷 Yuting好的，我也觉得他快来了。Hǎo de, wǒ yě juéde tā kuài lái le.Okay, I also think he is coming soon.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
