往 (wǎng) — toward / in the direction of
HSK 3 | preposition | toward, in the direction of — indicates direction of movement
往 (wǎng)
往 is a preposition meaning toward or in the direction of. It indicates the direction in which movement or action proceeds. It often precedes directional words like 前 (forward), 后 (backward), 左 (left), 右 (right), and 上 (up). Compare with 向 (xiàng), which is very similar but slightly more formal.
Meanings
- [preposition] Toward; in the direction of; going to.
Example Sentences
往前走一百米就到了。 Wǎng qián zǒu yībǎi mǐ jiù dào le. Walk forward one hundred meters and you will arrive.
请往右看。 Qǐng wǎng yòu kàn. Please look to the right.
公共汽车往北开。 Gōnggòng qìchē wǎng běi kāi. The bus goes toward the north.
往这边走，别走错了。 Wǎng zhè biān zǒu, bié zǒu cuò le. Go this way; do not take the wrong path.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 往前 | forward, ahead |
| 往后 | backward, in the future |
| 往左/右 | to the left/right |
| 往上/下 | upward/downward |
| 往来 | to come and go; contacts |
Memory Hook
往 shows a person (彳, a walking radical) with a king (王) ahead. You walk toward where the king is. 往 always points your feet in a specific direction.