xiàqù: 下去 - To Go Down; To Continue

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.”

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 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.

• 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.

• 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.”