来 lái
“to come; (used as a substitute for a more specific verb); hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回来)”
verb, locality word, numeral, particle, modal particleHSK 1 · 2021 list level 1Traditional 來
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
来 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 106: 来 lái — Level 1; official annotation 1 (动). PDF page 82
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 来
来 means "to come" — motion toward the speaker or the speaker's location. It can stand alone, take a place object directly (来我家, 来中国), or be followed by a purpose verb (来吃饭); it is also used as a directional complement meaning "toward the speaker" (回来, 进来).
例句Example sentences
- 他明天来我家。tā míng tiān lái wǒ jiā.He is coming to my home tomorrow.
- 请来这里。qǐng lái zhè lǐ.Please come here.
- 妈妈，快来吃饭！mā ma, kuài lái chī fàn!Mom, come eat!
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗他来在中国。
✓他来中国。
来 takes a place object directly without 在; 在 is not used between 来 and its destination.