beginnerA1 · TOCFL a1directionsentence pattern
来 + V
Pattern
Subject + 来 + action
Key words
Core idea
来 can come before another verb to mean coming in order to do that action. The second verb gives the purpose of coming.
The subject comes, then does the action. Both verbs share the same subject.
Compare with going to do something
来 points movement toward the speaker, listener, or relevant place. 去 points movement away or toward another place. The purpose-action structure is similar.
Examples
他来吃晚饭。
Tā lái chī wǎnfàn.
He is coming to eat dinner.
我来帮你。
Wǒ lái bāng nǐ.
I will come help you.
老师来上课了。
Lǎoshī lái shàngkè le.
The teacher has come to teach class.
Common mistakes
Avoid
他吃晚饭来。
Use
他来吃晚饭。
For coming to do an action, 来 comes before the action verb.