elementaryA2 · TOCFL a2complementgrammar
下去
Pattern
Verb + 下去
Key words
Core idea
下去 after a verb can mean the action continues onward.
It often translates as “keep doing” or “continue doing.”
Usage boundary
Use this pattern when the action has already started and continues into the future. It can sound neutral, encouraging, or negative depending on the sentence.
Word order note
下去 follows the verb it continues. If another word like “continue” also appears, the main action still comes before 下去.
Examples
请继续说下去。
Qǐng jìxù shuō xiàqu.
Please keep talking.
这个故事还要讲下去。
Zhè ge gùshi hái yào jiǎng xiàqu.
This story still needs to keep going.
我们不能这样等下去。
Wǒmen bù néng zhèyàng děng xiàqu.
We cannot keep waiting like this.
Common mistakes
Avoid
请继续下去说。
Use
请继续说下去。
下去 follows the action that continues.