dào

Using "dao" to mean "to go to"

到 means "to arrive at" or "to go to", and it takes the place directly.

到 + Place (+ 去 / 来)

How it works

我到上海 — I'm going to / arriving in Shanghai. 去 or 来 is often appended: 到上海去.

到 emphasises arrival where 去 emphasises the going. 我到了 means "I've arrived".

As a result complement it also glues onto other verbs: 看到, 听到, 找到.

Examples

  • wǒ dào shàng hǎi le

    我到上海了。

    I've arrived in Shanghai.

  • nǐ dào jiā gěi wǒ dǎ diàn huà

    你到家给我打电话。

    Call me when you get home.

  • tā dào gōng sī qù le

    他到公司去了。

    He's gone to the office.