Verb + 下来
HSK 3- Complements
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Verb下来
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Complement 下来 is used after a verb to indicate movement from a higher position to a lower one, or a state gradually settling/stabilizing.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The complement 下来 has two main meanings:
- Literal meaning: Physical movement from a higher place to a lower place. For example,
跳下来(jump down),走下来(walk down). - Figurative meaning: Indicates a state that gradually becomes stable, comes to a stop, or is fixed and recorded. For example,
安静下来(become quiet),停下来(stop),记下来(write down). It can also indicate an action or state that has continued from the past up to the present.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 请你坐下来休息一下。繁: 請你坐下來休息一下。Qǐng nǐ zuò xiàlái xiūxi yíxià.
Please sit down and rest for a while.
- 他从楼上跑下来了。繁: 他從樓上跑下來了。Tā cóng lóushàng pǎo xiàlái le.
He ran down from upstairs.
- 雨终于停下来了。繁: 雨終於停下來了。Yǔ zhōngyú tíng xiàlái le.
The rain finally stopped.
- 请把你的名字写下来。繁: 請把你的名字寫下來。Qǐng bǎ nǐ de míngzi xiě xiàlái.
Please write down your name.
- 教室里慢慢安静下来。繁: 教室裡慢慢安靜下來。Jiàoshì lǐ mànmàn ānjìng xiàlái.
The classroom gradually became quiet.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:请你坐下去。Correct:请你坐下来。
When inviting someone to sit down (facing toward oneself or in a particular place), use `下来`. `下去` indicates continuation or going away from the speaker.
- Wrong:我记下来了你的电话号码。Correct:我把你的电话号码记下来了。
When a verb takes the complement `下来` and is accompanied by an object denoting a thing, use the 把 structure to place the object before the verb.