Preposition: 往 (Towards a Direction)
介词：往
Use 往 to indicate movement towards a direction or location
Place 往 before a direction word (左, 右, 前, 后, etc.) or a place, followed by the verb of movement. 往 specifies which direction the movement goes.
往 is almost always followed by a direction word (左, 右, 前, 后, 东, 西, 南, 北) or a short place reference. It emphasizes the direction of movement, not the destination.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Preposition: 往 (Towards a Direction) (介词：往)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 介词：往 pattern
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Understanding 介词：往
When you need to tell someone which way to go, 往 is your compass word. It means "towards" and always pairs with a direction. 往左走 means "walk to the left," 往前走 means "walk forward." Think of 往 as an arrow pointing the way. It is incredibly useful when giving or receiving directions — in a taxi, on the street, or inside a building. The key difference between 往 and 到 is that 往 focuses on the direction of movement, while 到 focuses on the destination. 往前走 = "walk forward (in that direction)." 走到前面 = "walk to the front (arrive there)." You will hear 往 constantly in real-life navigation: taxi drivers, GPS apps, and helpful strangers all use it when giving directions.
Key Points
- 往 (wǎng) = "towards / in the direction of" — specifies direction of movement.
- 往 + direction + 走/看/拐 is the most common pattern for giving directions.
- Common directions: 往左 (left), 往右 (right), 往前 (forward), 往后 (back), 往东 (east), 往西 (west).
- 往 focuses on DIRECTION, not destination — it tells which way, not where exactly.
- 往回走 = "walk back / retrace your steps" — very useful when lost.
- 往 is pronounced wǎng (third tone) in standard Mandarin, though some regions say wàng.
- In written Chinese, 往 can also mean "past" as in 往事 (past events), but as a preposition it always means "towards."
Getting directions in China often involves cardinal directions (东南西北) rather than left/right. A local might say 往北走三百米 (Go north for 300 meters). Knowing compass directions is surprisingly practical for daily life in Chinese cities.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
你往左走就能看见洗手间。
Turn left and you will see the restroom.
Giving directions
你往前走一百米就到了。
Walk forward 100 meters and you will be there.
往右拐就是银行。
Turn right and there is the bank.
你往东走，五分钟就到了。
Walk east — five minutes and you will be there.
别往后看！
Do not look back!
从这儿往南走，过两个路口就是。
Go south from here, pass two intersections and you are there.
往回走吧，我们走错了。
Let us go back — we went the wrong way.
师傅，往前面的路口右转。
Driver, turn right at the intersection ahead.
Talking to a taxi driver
Common Mistakes
The direction word comes immediately after 往, then the verb: 往 + direction + verb.
往 is best paired with directions, not destinations directly. When using a place, add 的方向 (in the direction of) for clarity.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Memorize the four basic direction commands: 往左走, 往右走, 往前走, 往后走. These will save you when you are lost.
In a taxi, use 往 + direction: 师傅，往右拐 or 往前走.
Practice giving directions to your home using 往 — it is the fastest way to internalize this pattern.
Remember: 往 = direction arrow, 到 = destination pin. They are different tools.
Homework
Draw a simple map from your home to a nearby place (store, school, park). Write directions using 往 for every turn: 从我家出来，往左走一百米，然后往右拐……