VerbsHSK 4

Using 来 as a dummy verb

The dummy verb 来 is used in colloquial Chinese to mean 'do it,' 'take a turn,' or 'let me try,' replacing a verb that is clear from the situation. It often appears with 你 or 我 as the subject, and can end with the suggestion particle 吧. Be careful not to confuse this usage with 来 meaning 'to come.'

Structure

(让 +) Subj. + 来 (+ 吧)

来 replaces the contextually appropriate action verb.

Examples

你来！
Nǐ lái !
You do it!
我来吧。
Wǒ lái ba.
Let me do it.
让他自己来。
Ràng tā zìjǐ lái .
Let him do it himself.
你写得好看，你来吧。
Nǐ xiě de hǎokàn, nǐ lái ba.
You write well. You write it.
老师，我来。
Lǎoshī, wǒ lái .
Teacher, let me read it.

Words that use this

来láito come; (used as a substitute for a more specific verb); hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回来); ever since (as in 自古以来); for the past (amount of time); (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 来世); (between two verbs) in order to; (after a round number) approximately; (used after 得 to indicate possibility, as in 谈得来, or after 不 to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不来)