Introduction
往 (wǎng) points a movement in a direction: 往前走 (wǎng qián zǒu) — go straight on; 往右拐 (wǎng yòu guǎi) — turn right. Like every preposition in Chinese, the 往 phrase goes in front of the verb, and it needs a direction or a place immediately after it.
Overview
Structure: 往 (wǎng) + [Direction / Place] + Verb
| Pattern | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 往 + Direction + V | 往前走。(Wǎng qián zǒu.) | Go straight on. |
| 往 + 左/右 + V | 往右拐。(Wǎng yòu guǎi.) | Turn right. |
| 往 + Place + V | 往北京走 (wǎng Běijīng zǒu) | head towards Beijing |
| 往 + 里/外 + V | 往里走。(Wǎng lǐ zǒu.) | Move inside. |
| 往 + Direction + 看 | 往那边看。(Wǎng nàbiān kàn.) | Look over there. |
往 (wǎng) is the direction you face; 到 (dào) is where you end up:
- 往北京走 (wǎng Běijīng zǒu) — head in the direction of Beijing. You may not get there.
- 到北京去 (dào Běijīng qù) — go to Beijing. Arrival is the point.
- 往 (wǎng) must be followed by a direction or a place, never by a person: ❌ 往我走 (wǎng wǒ zǒu).
- The verb after 往 is a verb of movement or of looking — 走 (zǒu)、拐 (guǎi)、开 (kāi)、看 (kàn).
Examples
往前走，然后往右拐。
Wǎng qián zǒu, ránhòu wǎng yòu guǎi.
Go straight on, then turn right.
往里走一点儿。
Wǎng lǐ zǒu yìdiǎnr.
Move in a bit.
请往那边看。
Qǐng wǎng nàbiān kàn.
Please look over there.
这辆车往北京开。
Zhè liàng chē wǎng Běijīng kāi.
This train runs to Beijing.
往左拐就到了。
Wǎng zuǒ guǎi jiù dào le.
Turn left and you're there.
往前走五分钟，银行在右边。
Wǎng qián zǒu wǔ fēnzhōng, yínháng zài yòubiān.
Walk on for five minutes; the bank is on the right.
Usage Notes
- The direction words used with 往 (wǎng) are 前 (qián) forward，后 (hòu) back，左 (zuǒ) left，右 (yòu) right，里 (lǐ) in，外 (wài) out，上 (shàng) up，下 (xià) down.
- 往 (wǎng) is 3rd tone — wǎng. There is a 4th-tone reading in formal writing, but not at this level.
- Directions for a stranger are almost entirely 往 (wǎng) plus 走 (zǒu) and 拐 (guǎi): 往前走 (wǎng qián zǒu)，往右拐 (wǎng yòu guǎi).
- 往 (wǎng) marks the direction of travel; 在 (zài) marks where something is: 往右拐 (wǎng yòu guǎi) turn right，在右边 (zài yòubiān) on the right.
- 向 (xiàng) means much the same and is more written. In speech 往 (wǎng) is what you will hear.