lái: 来 - To Come, To Arrive, Future

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Summary: Discover the complete meaning of 来 (lái), one of the most fundamental and versatile words in Mandarin Chinese. This guide breaks down “lái,” which means “to come,” and explores its other crucial uses, from indicating future actions and ordering food like a local, to its role in expressing potential. Learn the critical difference between 来 (lái) and 去 (qù) and master this essential HSK 1 verb with practical examples and cultural insights.

Pinyin (with tone marks): lái

Part of Speech: Verb, Particle

HSK Level: HSK 1

Concise Definition: To come, to arrive; used to indicate an intention or a future action.

In a Nutshell: At its heart, 来 (lái) is the simple verb “to come,” the direct opposite of “to go” (去 qù). It describes movement toward the speaker. However, its true power lies in its flexibility. It's used to say “Let me…” (我来…), to order food and drinks (来一个…), and to describe time (未来, the future). Mastering 来 is a key step to sounding more natural in everyday Chinese conversation.

来 (lái): The character is a pictograph originally depicting a stalk of wheat or grain. Anciently, grain was a vital crop that was harvested and brought to the community. This concept of “being brought” or “arriving” evolved into the character's modern meaning of “to come.” When you see 来, you can picture something moving towards you, just like a vital harvest.

The most significant cultural nuance of 来 (lái) lies in its strict speaker-centric perspective. In English, you might call a friend who is at home and say, “I'm coming over,” even though you are moving *away* from your current location. This is impossible in Chinese.

The use of 来 (lái) vs. its opposite 去 (qù) is determined by the direction of movement relative to the speaker (or the speaker's conceptual “base,” like their home or office). If the movement is toward the speaker, you must use 来. If it's away, you must use 去.

This reflects a less flexible but more precise way of describing movement that is rooted in one's own position. This principle extends to other directional complements like 上来 (shànglái) (to come up) and 上去 (shàngqù) (to go up). Understanding this perspective is crucial for avoiding common beginner mistakes and truly thinking in Chinese.

Additionally, the common phrase “我来” (Wǒ lái), meaning “Let me do it,” subtly reflects a proactive and helpful attitude, often used among friends, family, or colleagues to offer assistance, such as paying a bill or carrying a bag.

去 (qù) - The direct antonym of 来. It means “to go,” indicating movement away from the speaker.

回来 (huílái) - To come back. A compound directional verb combining “return” (回) and “come” (来).

过来 (guòlái) - To come over. Indicates movement across a space towards the speaker.

起来 (qǐlái) - To get up; to stand up. As a complement, it can also mean the start of an action (e.g., 笑起来 - xiàoqǐlái - to start laughing).

未来 (wèilái) - The future. A noun formed from “not yet” (未) and “come” (来).

原来 (yuánlái) - Originally; as it turns out. Used to express a sudden realization.

来不及 (láibují) - To be too late; there's not enough time.

来得及 (láidejí) - The opposite of a above; there is still time.

来源 (láiyuán) - Source; origin. Where something “comes from.”

看起来 (kànqǐlái) - It seems; it looks as if. A common phrase to express an opinion based on appearance.