Directional Prepositions: 往、向、从

Chinese grammar · HSK 2 · 引出方向的介词 · By Carson 木林森 · Updated October 2026

往 (wǎng), 向 (xiàng) and 从 (cóng) are prepositions that put a direction or starting point before the verb. 往 and 向 mean 'toward', and 从 means 'from', as in 从这里往右走.

• 往 (wǎng) = toward (a destination/direction), used with movement verbs
• 向 (xiàng) = toward/facing (can also mean 'to' when directing speech/action at someone)
• 从 (cóng) = from (starting point of movement or time)

Structure: Subject + 往/向/从 + place + verb

✅ 往左走。(Go left.)
✅ 向老师问问题。(Ask the teacher a question.)
✅ 从家里出发。(Set out from home.)

往 vs 向: Both mean 'toward' but 往 focuses on destination direction; 向 can introduce recipient of speech/action.

Worked examples

Word by word

Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.

往 (wǎng)

Points the direction of movement toward a place.

Structure: 往 + direction / place + verb

Not: 他往我说话。 往 gives a direction of movement, not a person; use 对 or 向.

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 2, prepositions (引出方向、路径).

向 (xiàng)

Points toward a direction or toward a person, for example when speaking or learning.

Structure: 向 + person / direction + verb

Not: 他向了我笑。 向 is a preposition and takes no 了; put the 了 on the verb.

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 3, prepositions (引出对象); level 3, prepositions (引出方向、路径).

向 is also explained in: Directional Preposition: 朝, 向 (HSK 3).

从 (cóng)

Marks the starting point in space or time.

Structure: 从 + start (到 + end) + verb

Not: 我走从家到学校。 The 从 phrase comes before the verb: 我从家走到学校.

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 2, prepositions (引出方向、路径); level 2, prepositions (引出时间、处所); level 4, adverbs (时间副词).

Compared side by side: 往 vs 向.

Produce this pattern without stopping to think about it. GraphChinese drills Directional Prepositions across 13 exercises and schedules the review that keeps it.

What you need first

Every topic in GraphChinese names its own prerequisites, and these are the grammar points this one is built on. If a sentence here will not parse, one of them is why.

• Direction Words as Localizers
• Location with 在

What this opens up

These patterns list Directional Prepositions among their own prerequisites, so they become readable once this one holds.

• Directional Preposition
• Prepositions of Time & Place

Questions about Directional Prepositions

What does 引出方向的介词 (Directional Prepositions) mean in Chinese?

往 (wǎng), 向 (xiàng) and 从 (cóng) are prepositions that put a direction or starting point before the verb. 往 and 向 mean 'toward', and 从 means 'from', as in 从这里往右走. It is an HSK 2 grammar point.

How do you use 引出方向的介词 (Directional Prepositions) in a sentence?

你往前走，就能看到学校。 — Nǐ wǎng qián zǒu, jiù néng kàn dào xué xiào. — Walk straight ahead and you'll see the school. 往 + direction word (前) + movement verb 走.

What do you need to know before 引出方向的介词 (Directional Prepositions)?

Direction Words as Localizers (HSK 1), Location with 在 (HSK 1). This pattern is built out of them, so a sentence here that will not parse usually means one of them has not landed yet.

What does 引出方向的介词 (Directional Prepositions) lead to?

Directional Preposition (HSK 3), Prepositions of Time & Place (HSK 3). Each of them names 引出方向的介词 (Directional Prepositions) among its own prerequisites.

What is the difference between 往 and 向?

往 mostly goes with places and directions, as in 往前走. 向 also goes with people, as in 向老师问好, and it fits speaking or learning verbs.

Can I use 从 for time as well as place?

Yes. 从 marks a start in either, as in 从星期一到星期五我都上班。

Related guides: All 195 grammar points · HSK 2 grammar · How to pass HSK 2 · The HSK levels, explained