To step out from a cave or shelter.
To exit, go out, appear, produce, or happen. A foot stepping out of a cave entrance, now drawn like two stacked mountains.
出
Common Usage & Traps
- 出去 — go out
- 出来 — come out
- 出门 — go out (of the house)
- 出发 — set off; depart
- 出现 — appear; show up
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出学校去学校 / 从学校出来出 alone usually means 'exit' or 'come out'; to say 'go to school' use 去学校, and to say 'come out of school' use 从学校出来.
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出书看书 / 读书出书 means 'publish a book', not 'read a book'. For reading, use 看书 or 读书.
What is the difference between 出 and 去?
出 means 'out' or 'exit'; 去 means 'go to' a place.
出 focuses on moving from inside to outside, while 去 focuses on going toward a destination. They are not interchangeable when talking about direction.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | 出 = out, exit | 去 = go to |
| Example | 出去 (go out) | 去学校 (go to school) |
| Direction | from inside to outside | toward a place |
Can 出 be used alone as a verb?
出 is usually bound and needs a complement or object to sound natural.
In modern Mandarin, 出 rarely stands alone as a full verb. It often appears in compounds like 出去, 出来, 出门, or 出发. Using it alone can sound incomplete.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | 出去 / 出来 / 出门 | 出 alone |
| Example | 我出去了。 (I went out.) | 我出了。 (unnatural) |
| Reason | needs direction or object | sounds incomplete |
Appears in Stories 7 stories
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
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东晋的朝廷一直希望他 出来 做官，服务天子。
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后来，他的家族遇到了困难，他才决定 出来 当官。
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朋友跟他开玩笑说：“你以前一直待在东山，现在终于愿意 出来 重新开始了。”
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谢安 出来 工作后，表现 出色 ，做到了很高的位置。
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现在，我们用“东山再起”来形容一个人失败或 退出 后，通过努力又重新获得成功。
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当年乔布斯被 踢出 苹果公司，十年后，他又重回苹果，这件事也可以说“乔布斯东山再起了。”
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
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信中说：“你 提出 的问题太大，我不能给你一个可以使我自己认为满意的解释。
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元真把带来的一个小包打开，里面是十块饼干，黄黄的，有着新烤 出来 的奶油的香味。
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胡之适接过饼干，微笑着拿起一个便吃，脸上 现出 近几年来很少见的欢愉。
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他能认得 出 哪种饼干是“我的朋友”做的。
Follow Xiao Li as he copes with the effects of forest fires near his home in the US and reflects on environmental changes. A thoughtful story for HSK 4 learners.
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他今天早上 出门 ，几乎看不清楚前面的路。
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新闻里还说，最近这些年，美国西部每年都 出现的 森林大火是气候变化的结果。
Read this short story about people waiting in the rain for a new phone. You will practice numbers, time, and everyday vocabulary.
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晚上，我坐 出租车 去大学那边的苹果商店买手机。
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明天苹果十九 出来 了，大家都想做第一个买到苹果十九的人。
Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.
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他说今年 出口 不好做，运费涨了三成，利润压到五个点以下。
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
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误会二：方便面没有什么营养事实上，除了刚 出生 的小宝宝可以只吃一种食物获得全部营养以外，没有任何人可以从单一一种食物中获得全部的营养。
Enjoy this simple story about a patient and a mysterious apple. It shows how a small act of kindness can make someone feel at home, and you'll learn key words for feelings and daily life.
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天天下午，桌子上都会 多出 一个很大的苹果。
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