Difference between revisions of "Expressing "toward" with "wang""

Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
 +
 +
Although 往 (wǎng) simply means "towards," it's not used an often as certain other [[preposition]]s and also has a few special use cases, so it warrants a little extra attention.
  
 
== Used as "Towards" ==
 
== Used as "Towards" ==
往 (wǎng) is a preposition that means "towards" and is used often when expressing or referring to an action.
+
 
 +
往 (wǎng) is a preposition that means "towards" and precedes the [[verb]] it modifies.
  
 
=== Used before a Verb ===
 
=== Used before a Verb ===
Line 8: Line 11:
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
  
Adding 往 (wǎng) with a location or placement word, expresses the direction of the action.
+
Adding 往 (wǎng) with a location or placement word, expresses the direction of the action. Remember that the verb comes ''after'' this 往 phrase.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Line 29: Line 32:
 
=== Used after a Verb ===
 
=== Used after a Verb ===
  
In written language,  往 (wǎng) can be used after a few monosyllabic verbs, followed by adding location nouns.  
+
In written language,  往 (wǎng) can also be used ''after'' a few monosyllabic verbs, which are then followed by location nouns.  
  
 
==== Examples ====
 
==== Examples ====
Line 43: Line 46:
 
== 往下 as "Keep Going" ==
 
== 往下 as "Keep Going" ==
  
往下 (wǎng xià) expresses  "keep going" , which means that the process has been interrupted before. The verbs that follow are usually sensory verbs: 说 speaking, 读 reading, 写 writing, 看 watching and 听 listening.
+
往下 (wǎng xià) expresses  "keep going," implying that the process has been interrupted before. The verbs that follow are usually communication or sensory verbs: speak (), read (), write (), watch (), and listen () are common.
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
Line 69: Line 72:
 
{{Similar|Comparing "chao" "xiang" and "wang"}}
 
{{Similar|Comparing "chao" "xiang" and "wang"}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "towards" with "xiang"}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "towards" with "xiang"}}
{{Similar|Using "dui" with verbs}
+
{{Similar|Using "dui" with verbs}}
 
{{POS|Prepositions}}
 
{{POS|Prepositions}}
 
{{Translation|toward}}
 
{{Translation|toward}}

Revision as of 09:10, 22 October 2018

Although 往 (wǎng) simply means "towards," it's not used an often as certain other prepositions and also has a few special use cases, so it warrants a little extra attention.

Used as "Towards"

往 (wǎng) is a preposition that means "towards" and precedes the verb it modifies.

Used before a Verb

Structure

Adding 往 (wǎng) with a location or placement word, expresses the direction of the action. Remember that the verb comes after this 往 phrase.

往 + Direction / Place + Verb

Examples

  • 一直 Yīzhí wǎng qián zǒu.Go straight along.
  • Wǎng zuǒ guǎi.Turn left.
  • Wǎng shàng kàn.Look up there.
  • 那个 小偷 了 。Nàge xiǎotōu wǎng dōng pǎo le.That thief ran towards the east.
  • 不要 楼下 垃圾 。Bùyào wǎng lóuxià rēng lājī.Don't throw trash downstairs.
  • 不要 我 家 打电话 了 !Bùyào wǎng wǒ jiā dǎ diànhuà le!Stop calling my house!

Used after a Verb

In written language, 往 (wǎng) can also be used after a few monosyllabic verbs, which are then followed by location nouns.

Examples

  • 北京 的 火车 Kāi wǎng Běijīng de huǒchēThe train that goes to Beijing.
  • 纽约 的 飞机 Fēi wǎng Niǔyuē de fēijīThe airplane that flies to New York.
  • 国外 的 货物 Yùn wǎng guówài de huòwùThe cargos that are shipped overseas.

往下 as "Keep Going"

往下 (wǎng xià) expresses "keep going," implying that the process has been interrupted before. The verbs that follow are usually communication or sensory verbs: speak (说), read (读), write (写), watch (看), and listen (听) are common.

Examples

  • Wǎng xià shuō.Keep talking.
  • Wǎng xià .Keep reading.
  • 就 知道 了 。wǎng xià kàn jiù zhīdào le.Keep reading it and then you will figure out.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books