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How to say “verbing around” with 来 (lái) and 去 (qù)

Verb 1 + 来 (lái) + Verb 1 + 去 (qù)

来 (lái) vs 去 (qù) — verbing around

HSK 5Complements

Rule structure

来 (lái) and 去 (qù) can be used after the same verb to indicate that the action is repeated in different directions or considered back and forth. This pattern emphasizes indecision or prolonged action.

Examples

他想来想去，还是没决定。

Tā xiǎng lái xiǎng qù, háishì méi juédìng.

He thought it over and over, but still didn’t decide.

Practice

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Characters

Words from this rule

来

lái

To come

去

qù

To go

他

tā

He

想

xiǎng

To want, to think, to miss

还是

háishi

Or; still

决定

juédìng

To decide, decision

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “verbing around” in Chinese with 来 vs 去?

Use the structure: Verb 1 + 来 (lái) + Verb 1 + 去 (qù). For example: 他想来想去，还是没决定。 — “He thought it over and over, but still didn’t decide”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

他想来想去，还是没决定。 — “He thought it over and over, but still didn’t decide”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.

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得 / 不 — potential complements

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Verb + Complement + 了 (le) + (Obj.)

万一 — what if

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