Lingaku来【lái】
HSK 1
- to come
- (used as a substitute for a more specific verb)
- hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回来【huí lai】)
- ever since (as in 自古以来【zì gǔ yǐ lái】)
- for the past (amount of time)
- (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 来世【lái shì】)
- (between two verbs) in order to
- (after a round number) approximately
- (used after 得【dé】 to indicate possibility, as in 谈得来【tán de lái】, or after 不【bù】 to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不来【chī bu lái】)
Generated definitions (experimental)
- to come
- hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker)
- ever since
- for the past (amount of time)
- (prefix) the coming ...; the next ...
- (between two verbs) in order to
- (after a round number) approximately
- (used after 得 to indicate possibility or after 不 to indicate impossibility)
This meaning of "来" is used as a substitute for a more specific verb indicating motion towards the speaker or the current location.
He will come tomorrow.
Come over here quickly!
This usage is a directional complement for motion towards the speaker.
This meaning indicates a point in time that marks the beginning of a situation or event that has continued until now.
China has had a long history since ancient times.
It indicates the duration of time that has passed up to the present moment.
This usage is a prefix indicating something that is coming or the next in a series.
It is used between two verbs to show the purpose of the first action.
It is used after a round number to indicate an approximation.
When used with 得, it indicates the possibility of achieving an action. When used with 不, it indicates the impossibility of achieving an action.