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March 24, 2026
往返wǎngfǎn(wang3fan3)
往返 (wǎngfǎn) means to go back and forth, often used in the context of travel. It indicates a round trip or the action of returning to a starting point after going to a destination. This term is commonly used in transportation, such as for flights, trains, and buses.
Frequency#16938DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of traveling back and forth is significant during festivals and family gatherings, where people often return home for important occasions like the Lunar New Year. The practice of往返 reflects the value placed on family ties and reunions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'Wang' (王) figurine traveling on a 'fan' (扇), going back and forth between two places. The '王' represents a king who goes on a journey, while the '扇' symbolizes the breeze of travel, making it memorable that '往返' means to travel back and forth.
Meanings of 往返
wǎngfǎn(wang3fan3)
1to go back and forth
2to go to and fro
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 往返
往返Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#16938Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 往返
Podcast: 往返
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AI Study Notes for 往返
Quick Contrast
往返 (wǎngfǎn) vs 来回 (láihuí) — use 往返 for a more formal context, while 来回 is more casual.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'Wang' (王) figurine traveling on a 'fan' (扇), going back and forth between two places. The '王' represents a king who goes on a journey, while the '扇' symbolizes the breeze of travel, making it memorable that '往返' means to travel back and forth.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the context in which you use 往返; it is often used in formal settings, such as travel itineraries or official documents. A common mistake is to confuse it with just '去' (qù, to go) or '来' (lái, to come), which do not imply the return aspect. For example, saying '我去北京' (I go to Beijing) does not convey the round trip meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 往返 connects well with travel-related vocabulary like '票' (ticket), '航班' (flight), and '旅程' (journey). Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe travel plans or schedules to reinforce understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of traveling back and forth is significant during festivals and family gatherings, where people often return home for important occasions like the Lunar New Year. The practice of往返 reflects the value placed on family ties and reunions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 往返 with just '去' or '来,' which do not imply returning. For instance, saying '我往返去北京' is incorrect; the correct form is '我往返于北京,' emphasizing the round trip.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 往返
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Grammar Patterns of 往返
往返 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
____于伦敦的上班族减少了10万。
The number of commuters to London has dropped by 100,
Eighteen boats plied the 1,000 miles of river along a trading route.
9
一辆区间公交车频繁地往返于这家旅馆和那个乡村俱乐部。
yī liàng qū jiān gōng jiāo chē pín fán dì wǎng fǎn yú zhè jiā lǚ guǎn hé nà gè xiāng cūn jù lè bù。
A shuttle bus runs frequently between the Inn and the Country Club.
10
他打算乘长途车往返上下班。
tā dǎ suàn chéng cháng tú chē wǎng fǎn shàng xià bān。
He's going to commute.
Cultural Notes for 往返
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of traveling back and forth is significant during festivals and family gatherings, where people often return home for important occasions like the Lunar New Year. The practice of往返 reflects the value placed on family ties and reunions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 往返
Yes, but it's more commonly used for longer trips, like between cities or countries.
往返 is generally considered formal and is often used in written contexts, such as travel documents.
Yes, you can use 来回 (lái huí) which also means to go back and forth.
