来

• Pinyin: lái
• Hanzi breakdown: 来 = simplified from 來, originally a pictograph of a wheat plant — meaning shifted to 'come' through phonetic borrowing

Meaning

To come. Indicates movement towards the speaker.

One of the most fundamental verbs in Chinese. Basic meaning is to come (towards the speaker), opposite of 去 (go). Also used in many common expressions: 来了 (coming!), 过来 (come over), 出来 (come out). Can function as a directional complement after other verbs.

Examples

1. 你什么时候来？ When are you coming?
2. 他来中国学中文。 He came to China to study Chinese.
3. 快来！ Come quickly!

Usage Guide

Context: movement, everyday

Tone: conversational

Do Say

• 你来我家吃饭吧。(Come to my house for dinner.)
• 他从美国来。(He comes from America.)

Don't Say

• 我来那边。(来 means towards the speaker — if going away, use 去; say 我去那边)

Origin & History

An ancient character originally depicting a wheat plant. The meaning shifted from 'wheat' to 'come' in early Chinese, possibly through phonetic borrowing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal