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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'purpose of visit' with 来意 (láiyì)

    Purpose & Reason
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    说明 + 来意 / 来意 + 是

    Explanation

    The noun 来意 (láiyì) means 'purpose of one's visit' or 'the reason for coming.' It is a formal word used to refer to the intention behind someone's arrival. It commonly appears in the phrase 说明来意 (to state the purpose of one's visit).

    Examples

    • 请您先说明来意，我好帮您安排。

      qǐng nín xiān shuōmíng láiyì, wǒ hǎo bāng nín ānpái.

      Please state your purpose first, so I can arrange things for you.

    • 他还没说明来意就被请了出去。

      tā hái méi shuōmíng láiyì jiù bèi qǐng le chūqù.

      He was asked to leave before he could even state his purpose.

    • 来访者坐下后，直接说明了来意。

      láifǎng zhě zuò xià hòu, zhíjiē shuōmíng le láiyì.

      After the visitor sat down, they directly stated their purpose.

    Expressing 'purpose of visit' with 来意 (láiyì) | Chinese Grammar