过来
guòlái
In Chinese, "get over here" is expressed as 过来 (guòlái).
The phrase is a command used to tell someone to move from their current location to where the speaker is.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 过来 is composed of 过, which means 'to pass' or 'to cross' and 来, which means 'to come'. Literally, it translates to 'come over'.
How do you pronounce it?
guòlái
Did you know?
- The character 过 is used not only for movement but also to indicate that an action has been completed in the past, acting like a tense marker.
- While 'come over' sounds helpful in English, telling an elder to 过来 can be seen as extremely rude or bossy. In many Chinese social contexts, it is more polite to use a verb like 'please come' or a different respectful structure.
- If you use 过来 with a sharp, falling tone, it can sound like a stern reprimand from a parent or teacher. Adding a soft particle like 吧 at the end transforms the command into a gentle suggestion.
Examples in context
- 请过来一下。Please come over for a moment.
- 快过来，我有好消息！Get over here quickly, I have good news!
- 快过来！kuài guò lái!Get over here, fast!
- 你过来一下。nǐ guò lái yī xià.Come over here for a moment.
- 到这儿来，过来！dào zhèr lái, guò lái!Come to this spot, get over here!
Example conversation
A mother calls her son to show him something in the kitchen.
- 梓涵 Zihan浩然，你过来一下。Hào rán, nǐ guò lái yī xià.Haoran, come over here for a moment.
- 浩然 Haoran妈妈，怎么了？mā ma, zěn me le?Mom, what's wrong?
- 梓涵 Zihan快过来，看这个！kuài guò lái, kàn zhè ge!Get over here quickly, look at this!
- 浩然 Haoran好，我这就来。hǎo, wǒ zhè jiù lái.Okay, I'm coming right now.
