下去 - Continuation

You already know how to say "to eat" or "to speak." But how do you say "keep eating"? You simply add 下去 right after the verb. It acts like a helper. It tells your listener that the action isn't stopping. It’s like a car that has already passed the green light. It doesn't just sit there; it keeps driving. This is called a directional complement. While it sounds fancy, it’s actually very logical. You are moving "down" the timeline of the action. It’s a very common way to sound natural in daily life. Even if you only know basic verbs, 下去 makes you sound more fluent.

1. 1Creating sentences with 下去 is very straightforward. Just follow these simple steps:
2. 2Start with your subject (like 我 or 他).
3. 3Add the main verb of the action.
4. 4Attach 下去 immediately after the verb.
5. 5If there is an object, it usually goes at the end.
6. 6The basic structure looks like this: Subject + Verb + 下去.
7. 7For example: 说 (speak) becomes 说下去 (keep speaking).
8. 8If you want to say "no" or "can't," put 不 in the middle: 说不下去 (can't keep speaking).
9. 9If you want to say "can," put 得 in the middle: 说得下去 (can keep speaking).
10. 10It’s like a little sandwich where the verb and 下去 are the bread.

Use 下去 when an action is already happening. You use it to encourage someone to continue. For example, if a friend is telling a juicy story, say 请说下去. Use it when you are talking about your own habits. "I want to keep living here" becomes 我想住下去. It’s perfect for work scenarios too. "Let's keep working" is 我们工作下去吧. You can also use it for things you don't like. If a movie is boring, you might say 我看不下去了. It works for both positive and negative situations. Basically, if the clock is ticking and the action is moving, 下去 is your friend. It's the ultimate "keep on keeping on" phrase.

Don't use 下去 for actions that haven't started yet. You wouldn't use it to mean "I will start to eat." That’s a different grammar point entirely. It’s also not for short, sudden actions. You can't "keep on jumping" in one single burst using only 下去. It requires a sense of duration. Also, be careful with verbs that already imply an end. You usually don't say 死下去 because death isn't a continuous process you "keep doing." Keep it for actions that have a natural flow. If there’s no flow, 下去 will feel out of place. It’s like trying to put a "forward" button on a static photo. It just doesn't work.

A very common mistake is putting the object in the wrong place. Don't say 说下去故事. Instead, say 把故事说下去 or just 说下去. Another trap is using it for the very first time you do something. Remember, the action must already be in progress. Some learners also confuse it with 起来. While 起来 means an action is starting, 下去 means it’s continuing. Don't worry, even native speakers might pause for a second here! Just remember: 下去 is about the middle and the end, not the start. Lastly, don't forget the 了 at the end sometimes. 不下去了 often needs that 了 to show a change in state. It's like adding a period at the end of a long sentence.

You might hear 下来 and get confused. 下来 often means an action continues from the past up until now. 下去 focuses on moving from now into the future. Think of 下来 as looking back at a long tradition. Think of 下去 as looking forward to a long road trip. Then there is 继续. 继续 is a verb that means "to continue." You can say 继续说. However, 说下去 is more idiomatic in spoken Chinese. It feels more like a natural "keep going" vibe. 继续 is a bit more formal, like a teacher telling you to resume a task. 下去 is like a friend cheering you on during a marathon.