Verb + 下去
HSK 3- Complements
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used after a verb to express an action that continues from the present into the future.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The complement 下去 (hạ khứ) originally indicates the directional meaning "to go downward," but when used after a verb, it carries the figurative meaning of continuing an ongoing action.
Imagine an action as a flowing stream, and 下去 keeps it flowing forward. This structure is commonly used to encourage someone to keep talking or doing something, or to express the desire/ability to continue a certain activity.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 你别停，说下去。繁: 你別停，說下去。Nǐ bié tíng, shuō xiàqù.
Don't stop, keep talking.
- 我很喜欢这里，想住下去。繁: 我很喜歡這裡，想住下去。Wǒ hěn xǐhuān zhèlǐ, xiǎng zhù xiàqù.
I really like this place and want to stay here.
- 这份工作太难了，我做不下去了。繁: 這份工作太難了，我做不下去了。Zhè fèn gōngzuò tài nán le, wǒ zuò bu xiàqù le.
This job is too difficult, I can't continue doing it anymore.
- 这本书很有意思，我要读下去。繁: 這本書很有意思，我要讀下去。Zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yìsi, wǒ yào dú xiàqù.
This book is very interesting, and I want to keep reading it.
- 只要努力，你就能学下去。繁: 只要努力，你就能學下去。Zhǐyào nǔlì, nǐ jiù néng xué xiàqù.
As long as you work hard, you will be able to continue learning.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我下去说。Correct:我说下去。
下去 is a complement that must immediately follow the verb it modifies; it cannot precede it.
- Wrong:我明天想下去学习。Correct:我明天想继续学习。
下去 is used to continue an ongoing action. For an action that will resume at another time, use the adverb 继续.