🚪 Chinese Movement Verbs with 出 (chū) - Essential Going Out Expressions
Master the versatile Chinese character 出 (chū) and its compound verbs for expressing movement, exits, and transitions. Learn crucial expressions like 出去 (chūqù) "go out", 出差 (chūchāi) "business trip", 出门 (chūmén) "leave home", and 出口 (chūkǒu) "exit/export". Build fluency in asking about progress with 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) and expressing uncertainty with 还没想好 (hái méi xiǎng hǎo). Understand the cultural context of movement and social interactions in Chinese communication.
Chinese lesson from Sunday, September 21, 2025
🚪 Essential Chinese Movement Expressions with 出
Learn the fundamental 出 (chū) compound verbs for expressing going out, leaving, and exiting. Master asking 'how are things going' with 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) and responding with 还过去 (hái guòqù). These patterns are essential for daily movement descriptions and social check-ins in Chinese.
Perfect for beginners and essential concepts
📚 Key Phrase: 你的生意怎么样？ (nǐ de shēngyì zěnmeyàng?)
Grammar Focus
1. 出去 (chūqù) - "Go Out" (General Exit)
Subject + 出去 + Activity
Subject + chūqù + Activity
Expresses going out from inside to outside for an activity
Subject + chūqù + Activity
Expresses going out from inside to outside for an activity
• 出去玩 = Go out to have fun/play
• 出 (chū) = exit/go out + 去 (qù) = go
• Used for casual outings and recreational activities
• Essential for expressing social outings
• 出 (chū) = exit/go out + 去 (qù) = go
• Used for casual outings and recreational activities
• Essential for expressing social outings
出去玩
Go out to have fun
2. 出差 (chūchāi) - "Business Trip" (Professional Travel)
Subject + 出差
Subject + chūchāi
Specifically refers to business-related travel
Subject + chūchāi
Specifically refers to business-related travel
• 出差 = Go on a business trip
• Fixed expression for work-related travel
• 出 (exit) + 差 (assignment/mission)
• Essential for professional communication
• Fixed expression for work-related travel
• 出 (exit) + 差 (assignment/mission)
• Essential for professional communication
出差
Go on a business trip
3. 出门 (chūmén) + 了 (le) - "Left the House" (Completed Action)
Subject + 出门了
Subject + chūmén le
Expresses that someone has already left home
Subject + chūmén le
Expresses that someone has already left home
• 我出门了 = I've left the house / I went out
• 出 (exit) + 门 (door/gate)
• 了 marks completed action
• Essential for location updates and availability
• 出 (exit) + 门 (door/gate)
• 了 marks completed action
• Essential for location updates and availability
我出门了
I've left the house
你的生意怎么样？
nǐ de shēngyì zěnmeyàng?
How is your business going?
¿Cómo va tu negocio?
词汇 Vocabulary Practice
Practice writing the phrases from today's Chinese lesson!
你的生意怎么样？
nǐ de shēngyì zěnmeyàng?
English:
How is your business going?
Español:
¿Cómo va tu negocio?
还过去
hái guòqù
English:
It's OK / Getting by
Español:
Más o menos / Se puede decir que va tirando
你的学习怎么样？
nǐ de xuéxí zěnmeyàng?
English:
How are your studies going?
Español:
¿Cómo van tus estudios?
出去玩
chūqù wán
English:
Go out to have fun / Go out to play
Español:
Salir a divertirse / Salir a pasear
出差
chūchāi
English:
Go on a business trip
Español:
Ir de viaje de negocios
我还没想好要不要出差。
wǒ hái méi xiǎng hǎo yào bú yào chūchāi
English:
I haven't decided yet whether to go on the business trip.
Español:
Todavía no he decidido si ir de viaje de negocios
我出门了。
wǒ chūmén le
English:
I've left the house / I went out.
Español:
He salido de casa / Ya salí
你知道出口在哪里吗？
nǐ zhīdào chūkǒu zài nǎlǐ ma?
English:
Do you know where the exit is?
Español:
¿Sabes dónde está la salida?
这些东西出口到西班牙。
zhèxiē dōngxi chūkǒu dào xībānyá
English:
These things are exported to Spain.
Español:
Estas cosas se exportan a España
我要把自己出口到火星。
wǒ yào bǎ zìjǐ chūkǒu dào huǒxīng
English:
I'm going to export myself to Mars (humorous phrase).
Español:
Voy a exportarme a Marte (frase cómica)
文化 Cultural Insights
🚪 In Chinese culture, the concept of 出 (chū) - going out/exiting - carries deeper meaning than simple physical movement. 出差 (business trips) are extremely common in Chinese professional life and are seen as dedication to work rather than inconvenience. The question 怎么样 (how's it going) followed by the modest response 还过去 (it's OK) reflects Chinese cultural values of humility and not boasting about success. Physical spaces in Chinese culture are clearly divided into 里 (inside) and 外 (outside), making 出门 (leaving home) a significant transition. The dual meaning of 出口 (exit/export) shows how Chinese creates related concepts through the same characters. Social outings (出去玩) are highly valued for building relationships and maintaining social harmony. The humorous phrase 我要把自己出口到火星 demonstrates how Chinese speakers enjoy wordplay and creative use of formal vocabulary in casual contexts. Understanding these cultural nuances around movement and social space helps you communicate more naturally and appreciate the deeper meanings behind simple 出 expressions.
🎯 Advanced Practice - Movement & Decision Mastery
Practice complex expressions with 出 including business trips (出差), decision-making patterns (还没想好), and the dual meaning of 出口 (exit/export). Master expressing uncertainty and making humorous statements about exporting yourself to Mars!
For students ready to dive deeper
📖 Reading Practice
📖 Going Out & Business Travel - 外出与商务旅行
你的生意怎么样？还过去。
How is your business going? It's OK.
¿Cómo va tu negocio? Más o menos.
你的学习怎么样？出去玩。
How are your studies? Go out to have fun.
¿Cómo van tus estudios? Salir a divertirse.
出差，我还没想好要不要出差。
Business trip, I haven't decided yet whether to go on the business trip.
Viaje de negocios, todavía no he decidido si ir de viaje de negocios.
我出门了，你知道出口在哪里吗？
I've left the house, do you know where the exit is?
He salido de casa, ¿sabes dónde está la salida?
这些东西出口到西班牙。
These things are exported to Spain.
Estas cosas se exportan a España.
我要把自己出口到火星。
I'm going to export myself to Mars.
Voy a exportarme a Marte.
📝 Vocabulary from this reading:
出
chū
to go out, to exit, to emerge
出去
chūqù
to go out
出差
chūchāi
to go on a business trip
出门
chūmén
to leave home, to go out
出口
chūkǒu
exit; to export
怎么样
zěnmeyàng
how is it, how about
还过去
hái guòqù
it's OK, getting by
生意
shēngyì
business
学习
xuéxí
study, learning
玩
wán
to play, to have fun
还没想好
hái méi xiǎng hǎo
haven't decided yet
知道
zhīdào
to know
在哪里
zài nǎlǐ
where (is it)
这些东西
zhèxiē dōngxi
these things
火星
huǒxīng
Mars (planet)
📚 Additional Learning Content
🚪 Chinese Movement Culture & Social Context
Movement expressions with 出 (chū) in Chinese are more than just grammar—they reflect cultural attitudes toward work-life balance, social obligations, and the concept of transitioning between spaces (inside/outside). Understanding the cultural context behind expressions like 出差 (business trip) and 出去玩 (go out to have fun) helps you communicate more naturally about schedules, availability, and social commitments in Chinese society.
Work Culture & Business Travel in Chinese Society
出差 (chūchāi) as Cultural Norm
Business travel is extremely common and accepted in Chinese professional culture
Social Check-ins: 怎么样？
Chinese culture values checking in on others' progress and well-being
Business travel is extremely common and accepted in Chinese professional culture
• 出差 is frequent in Chinese business world
• Asking 我还没想好要不要出差 shows decision-making process
• Chinese work culture values dedication including travel
• Understanding 出差 context is crucial for professional communication
• Asking 我还没想好要不要出差 shows decision-making process
• Chinese work culture values dedication including travel
• Understanding 出差 context is crucial for professional communication
Social Check-ins: 怎么样？
Chinese culture values checking in on others' progress and well-being
• 你的生意怎么样？= Common business greeting
• 你的学习怎么样？= Showing interest in education
• 还过去 = Modest response reflects cultural humility
• Social check-ins are essential for maintaining relationships
• 你的学习怎么样？= Showing interest in education
• 还过去 = Modest response reflects cultural humility
• Social check-ins are essential for maintaining relationships
Movement Philosophy in Chinese Language
Chinese vs Western Movement Concepts
Understanding different cultural perspectives on "going out"
Humor & Wordplay with 出口
Using language creatively with dual-meaning words
Understanding different cultural perspectives on "going out"
• 出去玩 emphasizes fun and leisure
• 出门 marks transition from private to public space
• Chinese language precisely categorizes types of movement
• Movement verbs reflect cultural spatial awareness
• 出门 marks transition from private to public space
• Chinese language precisely categorizes types of movement
• Movement verbs reflect cultural spatial awareness
Humor & Wordplay with 出口
Using language creatively with dual-meaning words
• 我要把自己出口到火星 = Playful use of export/exit
• Chinese speakers enjoy wordplay with characters
• Humor through unexpected uses of formal vocabulary
• Understanding wordplay shows advanced Chinese competence
• Chinese speakers enjoy wordplay with characters
• Humor through unexpected uses of formal vocabulary
• Understanding wordplay shows advanced Chinese competence
Advanced 出 Applications
Complex Communication & Practical Usage
Using 出 verbs in sophisticated communication
Professional & Social Context
出 in business and daily life
Using 出 verbs in sophisticated communication
• Decision expressions: 还没想好要不要... (haven't decided whether)
• Completed actions: 出门了 (already left)
• Location queries: 出口在哪里 (where is the exit)
• 出 compounds enable precise movement communication
• Completed actions: 出门了 (already left)
• Location queries: 出口在哪里 (where is the exit)
• 出 compounds enable precise movement communication
Professional & Social Context
出 in business and daily life
• Professional: 出差, 出口 (business trip, export)
• Social: 出去玩 (go out for fun)
• Daily: 出门 (leave home)
• 出 verbs are essential for complete Chinese communication
• Social: 出去玩 (go out for fun)
• Daily: 出门 (leave home)
• 出 verbs are essential for complete Chinese communication
作业 Homework & Practice
📝 Homework for next class:
1. 🚪 Movement Expressions: Write 5 sentences using different 出 compound verbs (出去, 出差, 出门).
2. 🗣️ Progress Questions: Create 3 questions using 怎么样 to ask about different topics (business, studies, health).
3. 🎯 Decision Expressions: Write 3 sentences using 还没想好 pattern to express indecision about different things.
4. 🗺️ Location Questions: Practice asking 'where is [something]' using 在哪里 pattern (3 sentences).
5. 💼 Business Vocabulary: Write 3 sentences about business travel or exports using 出差 and 出口.
6. 🎯 Real-life Challenge: Ask Chinese speakers 你的[something]怎么样？and listen to their responses!
💡 Cultural Challenge: Research how Chinese work culture views business travel compared to your own culture!
Practice Checklist:
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