Common Meanings
1
lái来
To come from another place to this place, opposite to '去' (qù, to go); used to indicate movement towards the speaker or a particular location.
你什么时候能过来我家玩？
When can you come over to my house to play?
Indicates 'from the past until now' or 'always; all along', referring to a continuous state or action.
她向来很乐于助人。
She has always been very helpful.
Future time; time yet to come.
我们将来会再见面的。
We will meet again in the future.
Used after a numeral or a quantity word to indicate an approximation.
他大概四十来岁了
He is approximately forty years old.
To act or behave, often in a reckless or improper way.
你不要乱来。
Don't act recklessly.
Used before a verb to suggest or initiate an action, often implying 'let's do something' or 'come and do something'.
我们来玩个游戏吧！
Let's play a game!
Used after a verb to indicate a completed action in the past, often interchangeable with 'láizhe'.
他刚才说什么来？
What did he just say?
Used after a verb to indicate an upward movement or approach.
他从楼下走上来
He walked up from downstairs.
To indicate that an event or a specific time is approaching or has arrived.
我的生日快来了。
My birthday is coming soon.
Used after numerals (such as '一' [yī], '二' [èr], '三' [sān]) to introduce and enumerate reasons or points.
我们选择这家餐厅，一来菜品新鲜，二来服务周到，三来环境也很舒适。
We chose this restaurant because, firstly, the dishes are fresh, secondly, the service is attentive, and thirdly, the ambiance is very comfortable.
Used as an expletive or filler word in poetry or song lyrics, often to complete a rhythm or phrase without adding significant semantic meaning.
春风里来百花开
In the spring breeze, a hundred flowers bloom.
Used as a modal particle, often at the end of a sentence, to express invitation, encouragement, or a strong suggestion, similar to 'Come on!' or 'Let's go!'
我们快点走吧，来！
Let's go quickly, come on!