HSK 5
Correct
朝 vs 向 vs 往
/ cháo vs xiàng vs wǎng /
Strokes
Definition
朝, 向, and 往, are all Prepositions, can be followed by Nouns, but their usages differ in some aspects.
1, 朝, 向 and 往 + Noun, indicating a direction
2, Verb + 往, (Verb: 开, 通, 迂, 寄, 运, 派, 逃, 飞...)
3, Verb + 向, (Verb: 开, 走, 跑, 奔, 冲, 流, 漂, 通, 指...)
4, 朝（向） + the object of an action
5, 朝 can be used to mean "to face a direction"
6, 往 can also indicate the continuity of an action
往 (HSK 2), 向 (HSK 3), 朝 (HSK 5)
Example
朝, 向 and 往, all can be used to indicate the direction of an action.
朝, 向 and 往, are generally followed by a noun indicating direction or place, such as 东, 南, 西 or 北.
1
Mèimei
妹妹
cháo
朝
(
xiàng
向
)
(
wǎng
往
)
nánbian
南边
pǎo
跑
guòqù
过去
。
Younger sister ran to the south.
2
Tāmen
他们
cháo
朝
(
xiàng
向
)
(
wǎng
往
)
jiàoxuélóu
教学楼
zǒu
走
guòlái
过来
。
They're walking towards the teaching building.
向 and 往 can be preceded by a Verb, while 朝 cannot.
Generally, verbs that precede 向 are as follows: 开, 走, 跑, 奔, 冲, 流, 漂, 通, 指 ......
Generally, Verbs that precede 往 are as follows: 开, 通, 迁, 寄, 运, 派, 逃, 飞 ……
Generally, Verbs that precede 往 are as follows: 开, 通, 迁, 寄, 运, 派, 逃, 飞 ……
3
Zhè
这
tiáo
条
xiǎolù
小路
tōngwǎng
通往
(
xiàng
向
)
shāndǐng
山顶
。
This path leads to the top of the mountain.
4
Zhè
这
tàng
趟
huǒchē
火车
kāi
开
wǎng
往
(
xiàng
向
)
sūzhōu
苏州
。
This train is bound for Suzhou.
向 and 往 are semantically different
往 is used to show the destination, while 向 emphasizes the direction, not necessarily the destination.
5
Zhè
这
liè
列
huǒchē
火车
shì
是
cóng
从
běijīng
北京
kāi
开
wǎng
往
sūzhōu
苏州
de
的
。
This train is from Beijing and leave for Suzhou. ( 苏州 must be the destination.)
6
Zhè
这
liè
列
huǒchē
火车
kāi
开
xiàng
向
sūzhōu
苏州
。
This train goes to Suzhou. ( 苏州 is not necessarily the destination.)
朝 vs 向
朝 and 向 can be followed by a Noun or a pronoun to introduce the object of an action, while 往 cannot be used in this way.
7
Wǒ
我
yào
要
xiàng
向
wǒ
我
de
的
péngyou
朋友
dàoqiàn
道歉
,
yīnwèi
因为
wǒ
我
wùhuì
误会
le
了
tā
他
。
I must apologize to my friend, because I misunderstood him.
8
Xiǎo
小
nǚháiér
女孩儿
cháo
朝
wǒ
我
huīhuīshǒu
挥挥手
,
gāoxìng
高兴
dì
地
pǎo
跑
guòlái
过来
。
The little girl waved at me and ran to me happily.
朝 can be used to mean to face a direction, while 向 and 往 cannot.
9
Zhè
这
shān
扇
chuānghu
窗户
cháonán
朝南
。
This window faces south.
10
Tǐyùguǎn
体育馆
de
的
dàmén
大门
cháo
朝
běi
北
。
The gym's gate faces the north.
往 can also indicate continuation of an action, while 朝 and 向 cannot.
11
Tā
他
bù
不
zhīdào
知道
yǐhòu
以后
de
的
shēnghuó
生活
zěnme
怎么
wǎng
往
xià
下
guò
过
。
He doesn't know how to go on in later life.
12
Biè
别
tíngxià
停下
,
kuài
快
wǎng
往
xià
下
shuō
说
!
Don't stop, please go ahead!
Exercise
Fill in the blanks with 朝, 向 or 往. In some cases, there are more than one answer.
1. 快迟到了，我们（ ）车站飞奔过去。
2. 这只小船顺水漂（ ）大海。
3. 这件事他已经（ ）我作了很好的解释。
4. 我们的新家门是（ ）南的。
5. 人群中他（ ）她摆摆手便消失了。
6. 外面的声音太大，老师的课没法（ ）下讲了。
7. 本次列车从北京开（ ）上海，祝您旅途愉快！
8. 我已经及时（ ）领导汇报了新情况。