====== xiàqù: 下去 - To Go Down; To Continue ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** xiaqu, 下去, xiaqu meaning, Chinese verb to continue, go down in Chinese, Chinese grammar, directional complement, verb complement, 下去 vs 下来, how to use xiaqu, Chinese for keep going, HSK 3 grammar.
  * **Summary:** The Chinese word **下去 (xiàqù)** is a versatile directional complement with two main meanings. Literally, it means "to go down" or move downwards away from the speaker. Figuratively, and more importantly for learners, it attaches to a verb to mean "to continue" or "to keep on" doing that action from the present moment into the future. Understanding how to use **下去** is key to expressing continuation in Chinese, such as telling someone to "keep talking" (说下去) or describing a situation that "cannot go on" (不能这样下去).
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xiàqù
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Directional Complement
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 3
  * **Concise Definition:** To move in a downward direction; to continue an action or state.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **下去** as a concept of "down and away." In its physical sense, it's simple: you are upstairs, and you **下去** (go down) to the first floor. In its abstract grammatical sense, it treats the timeline as a path. An action that is already happening can continue "down" this path into the future. It's the Chinese equivalent of adding "on," "onward," or "keep on" to a verb.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **下 (xià):** This character is a pictogram of a line below another, symbolizing "down," "below," "under," or "to descend." It's the direct opposite of 上 (shàng), which means "up."
  * **去 (qù):** This character originally depicted a person leaving their home, and it means "to go," "to leave," or "to depart." The key is movement *away* from the speaker's current location or point of reference.
  * When combined, **下去 (xiàqù)** literally means "to go down and away." This physical meaning provides the perfect metaphor for its abstract use: continuing an action away from the present moment and down the timeline into the future.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * While **下去 (xiàqù)** isn't a deeply philosophical term like [[关系]] (guānxi), its structure reveals a common way of thinking in the Chinese language: using physical space and direction to describe abstract concepts like time.
  * In English, we might say "let's carry on" or "we will proceed," which are abstract verbs. In Chinese, the concept of continuation is physically "bolted on" to the main action verb (e.g., 看**下去** - kàn xiàqù - "to read on"). This tendency to make abstract ideas more concrete and directional is a core feature of Chinese grammar.
  * Comparing **下去** to the English "down the road" (meaning "in the future") helps illustrate this shared spatial metaphor for time. However, Chinese integrates this metaphor directly into its verb system, making it a fundamental grammatical tool rather than just a figure of speech. It reflects a worldview where actions have a clear and tangible path of progression.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
==== 1. Literal Meaning: To Go Down ====
This is the most straightforward usage. It describes the physical act of moving from a higher place to a lower place, away from the speaker.
  * **Context:** Going downstairs, descending a hill, getting off a stage.
  * **Example:** 你**下去**吧，我在楼上等你。(Nǐ xiàqù ba, wǒ zài lóushàng děng nǐ.) - "You go down, I'll wait for you upstairs."
==== 2. Figurative Meaning: To Continue (as a Verb Complement) ====
This is the most common and crucial usage for learners. It attaches to a verb to show the continuation of that verb's action from the present moment forward.
  * **Structure:** `Verb + 下去 (xiàqù)`
  * **Connotation:** It can be neutral ("keep reading"), encouraging ("you must live on!"), or negative ("if things continue like this..."). It often implies that the action is already in progress.
  * **Usage:**
    * **In conversation:** To encourage someone to continue speaking. "请你说**下去**。" (Qǐng nǐ shuō xiàqù.) - "Please continue talking."
    * **Expressing persistence:** To describe the will to carry on despite difficulty. "不管多难，我们都要走**下去**。" (Bùguǎn duō nán, wǒmen dōu yào zǒu xiàqù.) - "No matter how hard it is, we have to keep going."
    * **Describing a developing situation:** To warn about the consequences of a continuing action. "你再这样胖**下去**，就买不到衣服了。" (Nǐ zài zhèyàng pàng xiàqù, jiù mǎi bu dào yīfu le.) - "If you keep getting fat like this, you won't be able to buy any clothes."
    * **With potential complements (不/得):** To express inability or ability to continue. "我实在听不**下去**了。" (Wǒ shízài tīng bu xiàqù le.) - "I really can't listen anymore."
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 他在楼上，你让他**下去**开门。
    * Pinyin: Tā zài lóushàng, nǐ ràng tā **xiàqù** kāimén.
    * English: He's upstairs, have him go down to open the door.
    * Analysis: This is the literal, physical meaning. The speaker is likely also upstairs or somewhere other than the door, directing someone to move "down and away."
  * **Example 2:**
    * 他的故事很有意思，你让他说**下去**。
    * Pinyin: Tā de gùshì hěn yǒu yìsi, nǐ ràng tā shuō **xiàqù**.
    * English: His story is very interesting, let him keep talking.
    * Analysis: Here, **下去** acts as a complement to the verb 说 (shuō), indicating the continuation of the action "to speak."
  * **Example 3:**
    * 如果污染再这样发展**下去**，后果会很严重。
    * Pinyin: Rúguǒ wūrǎn zài zhèyàng fāzhǎn **xiàqù**, hòuguǒ huì hěn yánzhòng.
    * English: If pollution continues to develop like this, the consequences will be very serious.
    * Analysis: This shows **下去** used to describe a negative situation continuing into the future. The verb is 发展 (fāzhǎn), to develop.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 虽然生活很苦，但为了孩子，她还是坚持活了**下去**。
    * Pinyin: Suīrán shēnghuó hěn kǔ, dàn wèile háizi, tā háishì jiānchí huó le **xiàqù**.
    * English: Although life was bitter, for the sake of her children, she persisted and lived on.
    * Analysis: This is a very common and powerful use with the verb 活 (huó), meaning "to live." 活**下去** means "to live on" or "to survive."
  * **Example 5:**
    * 这本书太无聊了，我实在看不**下去**了。
    * Pinyin: Zhè běn shū tài wúliáo le, wǒ shízài kàn bu **xiàqù** le.
    * English: This book is too boring, I really can't read it anymore.
    * Analysis: This uses the potential complement form `Verb + bu + xiàqù`, meaning "cannot continue [verb-ing]." It's a very common pattern to express that you've lost patience or tolerance for an activity.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 老师，请您讲**下去**，我们都想听。
    * Pinyin: Lǎoshī, qǐng nín jiǎng **xiàqù**, wǒmen dōu xiǎng tīng.
    * English: Teacher, please continue your lecture, we all want to listen.
    * Analysis: A polite and common way to encourage a speaker to continue. 讲 (jiǎng) means to speak, explain, or lecture.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 我们不能再这样吵**下去**了，必须解决问题。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen bùnéng zài zhèyàng chǎo **xiàqù** le, bìxū jiějué wèntí.
    * English: We can't keep arguing like this anymore, we have to solve the problem.
    * Analysis: **下去** is attached to 吵 (chǎo), to argue, to indicate that the negative action of arguing must not continue.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 只要我们努力做**下去**，总有一天会成功的。
    * Pinyin: Zhǐyào wǒmen nǔlì zuò **xiàqù**, zǒngyǒu yìtiān huì chénggōng de.
    * English: As long as we keep working hard, we will succeed one day.
    * Analysis: A positive and motivational use. It emphasizes the importance of continuing the action of "doing" or "working" (做).
  * **Example 9:**
    * 这份工作我感觉做不**下去**了，我想辞职。
    * Pinyin: Zhè fèn gōngzuò wǒ gǎnjué zuò bu **xiàqù** le, wǒ xiǎng cízhí.
    * English: I feel I can't continue doing this job anymore, I want to resign.
    * Analysis: Another example of the `V + bu + xiàqù` pattern, showing inability or lack of will to continue. It's a very natural way to express burnout.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 中国的经济还会像以前一样发展**下去**吗？
    * Pinyin: Zhōngguó de jīngjì hái huì xiàng yǐqián yīyàng fāzhǎn **xiàqù** ma?
    * English: Will China's economy continue to develop like it did before?
    * Analysis: This shows **下去** in a question, inquiring about the continuation of a trend into the future.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **The #1 Mistake: Confusing 下去 (xiàqù) with 下来 (xiàlái).**
    * This is the most critical distinction. Both can mean "to continue," but they refer to different timeframes.
    * **下去 (xiàqù):** Continuation from the **present into the future**. (Think: "going on from here").
      * `他决定在中国住**下去**。` (Tā juédìng zài Zhōngguó zhù **xiàqù**.) - He decided to continue living in China (from now on).
    * **下来 (xiàlái):** Continuation from the **past up to the present**. (Think: "has been continuing up to now").
      * `他在中国住**下来**已经十年了。` (Tā zài Zhōngguó zhù **xiàlái** yǐjīng shí nián le.) - He has been living in China for ten years now.
    * In short: `下去` is prospective (looking forward), `下来` is retrospective (looking back).
  * **Mistake 2: Using it for actions that haven't started.**
    * **下去** implies an action is already in progress. You use it to talk about continuing something, not starting it.
    * **Incorrect:** `我想开始读下去这本书。`
    * **Correct:** `这本书我已经读了一半，我会读下去的。` (I've already read half of this book, I will continue reading it.)
  * **Mistake 3: Confusing it with 继续 (jìxù).**
    * [[继续]] (jìxù) is a formal, standalone verb that means "to continue." **下去** is a complement that attaches to another verb.
    * **继续:** Can be used before a verb phrase. `请你**继续**说。` (Qǐng nǐ jìxù shuō.) - "Please continue to speak."
    * **下去:** Attaches directly to the verb. `请你说**下去**。` (Qǐng nǐ shuō xiàqù.) - "Please speak on."
    * They are often interchangeable, but **下去** can feel slightly more colloquial and emphasizes carrying on an action that is currently happening without a pause.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[下来]] (xiàlái) - The direct counterpart of `下去`. It indicates movement downwards *towards* the speaker, or the continuation of an action from the past *until the present*.
  * [[起来]] (qǐlái) - A directional complement meaning "to rise up." Figuratively, it can mean "to start" an action (e.g., 唱起来 - chàng qǐlai - to start singing) or to bring things together.
  * [[继续]] (jìxù) - A standalone verb meaning "to continue." It's a more formal synonym for the function of `V + 下去`.
  * [[一直]] (yīzhí) - An adverb meaning "continuously" or "always." It describes an uninterrupted state, whereas `下去` focuses on the transition from the present to the future.
  * [[上去]] (shàngqù) - The literal opposite: "to go up," away from the speaker.
  * [[过来]] (guòlái) - A complement meaning to "come over" or to return to a normal state.
  * [[过去]] (guòqù) - A complement meaning to "go over" or to describe the past. As a noun, it means "the past."