v.
To come closer from another place; to arrive at the speaker's position. To happen or occur; to begin doing something; to bring, give, or offer (e.g., "come on").
来
Common Usage & Traps
- 来我家 — come to my home
- 来学校 — come to school
- 来中国 — come to China
- 来一杯咖啡 — I'll have a coffee
- 来晚了 — came late
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你去我家你来我家When you invite someone to your own home, 来 pulls them toward you. 去 sounds like you are sending them away.
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他昨天来我家他昨天来我家了A finished visit usually needs 了 after the place phrase. Without it, the sentence sounds unfinished on its own.
When do I use 来 instead of 去?
来 means toward the speaker or listener; 去 means away from the speaker.
Use 来 when someone moves closer to the person speaking or the person being spoken to. Use 去 when someone moves away from the speaker to another place. If you invite a friend to your home, say 你来我家. If you leave your home for the office, say 我去公司. The speaker is the center, not the destination in English.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Inviting someone to you | 你来我家 | 你去我家 |
| Going somewhere away from you | 我去公司 | 我来公司 |
| Someone comes to you | 他来了 | 他去了 |
Where does 了 go when I say someone came to my house yesterday?
Put 了 after the place phrase: 他昨天来我家了.
When a visit is finished, 了 usually lands after the whole phrase, not right after 来. So 他昨天来我家了 sounds complete and natural. A bare 他昨天来我家 sounds unfinished unless more words follow, like 他昨天来我家吃饭. With the completed-action 了, let the place phrase finish first.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Finished visit | 他昨天来我家了 | 他昨天来我家 |
| Visit plus meal | 他昨天来我家吃饭了 | 他昨天来我家了吃饭 |
| Invitation now | 你来我家吧 | 你来我家了 |
Why does 来一杯咖啡 mean 'I'll have a coffee'?
来 here means 'I'll take' or 'bring me', not 'come'.
At a cafe or restaurant, 来 turns into a quick way to order. You say 来一杯咖啡 or 来碗面 to the staff. It is not about walking toward the counter. The pattern is 来 + number + item.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering a coffee | 来一杯咖啡 | 我来咖啡 |
| Ordering noodles | 来碗面 | 我来面 |
| Meaning | 来 = I'll have | 来 = I come here |
Appears in Stories 12 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
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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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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一条咸鱼也能翻过身 来 。
In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.
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你也 来 这家饭店吃饭？
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A：不是，我和我的家人 来 吃饭。
This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.
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高先明第一天 来 中国。
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一个月后，高先明 来 这里坐车。
Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.
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他也在中为公司工作，但是因为周一我 来 公司的时候，他去上海了，所以我没有看见他。
This humorous dialogue follows a man who spends all his savings on his girlfriend's Apple phone and a lucky number, leaving him broke. A fun read for HSK 3 learners.
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A：哎，你最近怎么很少 来 体育场锻炼啊？
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
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天天晚上八点，都有一个老先生 来 。
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老先生天天 来 ，买一杯热茶。
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
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老先生看见大中 来 了，非常高兴。
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老先生对大中说：“你 来 了！
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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他摇下车窗跟我说了句，改天有空儿 来 我办公室坐坐。
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你 来 了我让食堂给你炒个蛋炒饭，正经吃的。
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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今天我们就 来 为方便面说两句话——方便面真的是被大家误会了。
A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.
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白天明对老先生说：“老先生，我天天都 来 这里和您说话。
Before you read, close your eyes and imagine a rainy afternoon. This story uses simple HSK 1 words to show how rain can become a talking friend.
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雨 来 了。
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谢谢你 来 看我。
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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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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一切治疗费由我 来 付。
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