What's the difference between 去 and 来？

Question

I noticed that 去 and 来 are used in a sentence in a strange meaning. For example: 1) 实际上，很多问题的答案都可以从生活中找到。但这需要你有眼睛去发现，用心去总结。

2） 自己不花时间去想 3） 眼不是用来做饭的吗？ What's the difference between them and when should i use it? Also i know that they have the meaning of movements and directions

Answer 1

Both 来 and 去 can function as "to" before a verb, the difference is:

• Use 来 when the action is in front or very close to you

• Use 去 when the action is at a distance away from you

Example:

(in Hong Kong's perspective) 用東江水[來]解救本港的缺水危機 = Use East River's water [to] rescue our Hong Kong's water shortage crisis

(in Mainland China's perspective)用東江水[去]解救香港的缺水危機 = Use East River's water [to] rescue Hong Kong's water shortage crisis

Another example:

• 用水救火 = use water to fight fire

• 用水[去]救火 = use water [to] fight fire (1. the fire is at a distance from you. 2. the water is here, you are sending it out to fight a fire) e.g. 射水去救火 (shoot water to fight fire)

• 用水[来]救火 = use water [to] fight fire (1. the fire is in front of you. 2. the water is somewhere else, you bring it in to fight a fire) e.g. 引水来救火 (bring water in to fire fire)

Answer 2

Both suggest the goal you are using something for, and come with words that mean “use”.

Personally, I feel that 去 delivers a stronger sense of movement. It sounds like you have to pay something (in a broader sense, including action) to reach your goal.

In contrast, 来 doesn't imply such a sense. Also, 用来 exists but 用去 does not exist.（用……去 is okay)

Answer 3

去 is the simpler of these two words, 来去, in most cases, you can think "去" as "to" when it is in front of a verb:

• 去发现 - to discover

• 去总结 - to sum up; to summarize

• 去想 - to think (about)

来 has a wider use and is more difficult to explain, especially when used after a verb. Here are a few phrases worth memorizing.

• 用来 - be used for

• 看来 - seems to be

• 說来 - having brought this up; come to speak of (it)

• 拿/取來 - take/bring it over

• 出來 - to come/get out

Answer 4

眼不是用来做饭的吗？
Isn't the eye used in cooking? (Yuck! Boiled eyeballs!)

Because the English translation may show to or from for 去 or 来, that does not mean the Chinese actually means that.

我来开车好吗？(In English translation this 来 becomes will)
I'll drive OK?
我开车好吗？（no 来 but still use will in translation.)
I'll drive OK?

她跑着来迎接我们。(In English translation this 来 becomes to)
She ran to greet us.
她跑着迎接我们。
She greeted us running. ??
She ran to greet us.

这事由你来决定吧。(In English translation this 来 becomes to)
this matter by you to decide ok
This matter you decide. (Or longer: This matter is for you to decide.)
这事由你决定吧。
This matter you decide.

你去哪？(In English translation this 去 becomes going)
you go where
Where are you going

我也去，行吗？(In English translation this 去 becomes come.)
Can I come too?

我去给你弄杯水来。(In English translation this 去 becomes will)
I go for you make cup water from
I'll get you a glass of water.