How to use 到
到 + Place
到 as a verb can describe reaching a destination. Put the place after 到, with any time expression before the main predicate. When the context establishes an arrival, 到 draws attention to the endpoint reached rather than simply the direction of movement. Completion and current relevance can be marked when appropriate.
到 can also introduce a destination in a phrase followed by the action performed there. In that arrangement, English may naturally use “go to” even though the Chinese verb emphasizes the destination. 去 focuses on going away toward somewhere, while 走 often concerns leaving. Their meanings overlap in some travel descriptions, so choose according to which part of the movement matters in context.
Examples with pinyin and English
他们已经到酒吧了。
They have already arrived at the bar.
我刚到家。
I just got home.
你到机场了吗？
Have you arrived at the airport?
我已经到火车站了。
I've already arrived at the train station.
What to remember
- Place the destination after 到.
- A following action can explain the purpose.
- Distinguish reaching, going, and leaving by context.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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