Verb + 出来

HSK 3

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

SubjectVerb出来(Object)

Complement 出来 expresses an action moving from inside to outside, or the recognition/discovery of something.

The complement 出来 has two main layers of meaning:

Literal meaning: Describes an action or object moving from inside to outside. For example: 走出来 (to walk out), 拿出来 (to take out).
Figurative meaning: Describes the recognition, differentiation, or creation of something from hidden to visible, from nonexistent to existent. This is the result of a process of observation or thought. For example: 看出来 (to figure out by looking), 想出来 (to think up), 听出来 (to make out by listening).

他从房间里走出来了。
繁: 他從房間裡走出來了。Tā cóng fángjiān lǐ zǒu chūlái le.
He walked out of the room.
请把你的护照拿出来。
繁: 請把你的護照拿出來。Qǐng bǎ nǐ de hùzhào ná chūlái.
Please take out your passport.
我听出来是你的声音。
繁: 我聽出來是你的聲音。Wǒ tīng chūlái shì nǐ de shēngyīn.
I recognized your voice.
这个办法是谁想出来的？
繁: 這個辦法是誰想出來的？Zhège bànfǎ shì shéi xiǎng chūlái de?
Who came up with this method?
你能看出来哪儿错了吗？
繁: 你能看出來哪兒錯了嗎？Nǐ néng kàn chūlái nǎr cuò le ma?
Can you see where the mistake is?

Wrong:我看不出来他是谁。
Correct:我没看出来他是谁。
To negate resultative complements like 出来, use 没 or 没有, not 不.
Wrong:我认识出来他是小王。
Correct:我认出来他是小王了。
认 (nhận) combines with 出来 to form 认出来 (recognize). 认识 means to be acquainted with and does not occur with 出来.