从…往
Pattern
从 + starting point + 往 + direction / place
Key words
Core idea
从…往 marks a starting point and the direction someone or something moves toward. The first part names where the movement begins. The second part points to the direction, route, or destination.
Use it when the path matters, not just the final arrival.
Compare with destination markers
到 focuses on reaching an endpoint. 从…往 focuses more on movement from one point toward another direction.
Examples
我们从学校往北走。
Wǒmen cóng xuéxiào wǎng běi zǒu.
We walk north from the school.
他从家往车站骑车。
Tā cóng jiā wǎng chēzhàn qí chē.
He bikes from home toward the station.
这条路从这里往东。
Zhè tiáo lù cóng zhèlǐ wǎng dōng.
This road goes east from here.
Common mistakes
Avoid
他往车站从家骑车。
Use
他从家往车站骑车。
Put 从 before the starting point, then 往 before the direction or destination.
Seen in stories
The Stage Behind Stall 28
摊主却指着后巷说：“你从二十八号摊往里走，就会看到舞台。”
But the vendor points to the back alley and says, “Walk inward from stall 28 and you will see the stage.”
The Stage Behind Stall 28
他从炸物摊往灯泡下面走，才发现那里真的有三块木板。
He walks from the fried-food stall toward the light bulbs and only then discovers there really are three wooden boards.
The Stage Behind Stall 28
阿澄从舞台左边往右边拉线，线却一直被推车压住。
A Cheng pulls a cable from the left side of the stage toward the right, but it keeps getting pressed by carts.
The Stage Behind Stall 28
音乐响起后，客人从主通道往后巷慢慢靠过来。
After the music starts, customers slowly move from the main path toward the back alley.