朝
cháo
The English phrase "toward" can be expressed in Chinese using 朝 (cháo). Wiktionary also lists 向 (xiàng) and 往 (wǎng).
Meaning: in the direction of (prep)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 朝 | cháo |
| 向 | xiàng |
| 往 | wǎng |
These words are prepositions used to indicate movement or orientation in the direction of a target or a specific place.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on their typical setting and nuance. 向 is a standard or formal way to indicate direction or a target of an action. 朝 implies a specific orientation or the act of facing toward something. 往 is frequently used in spoken language to provide directions, such as telling someone to go toward a certain place.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can create the form 向着 by adding the particle 着 to 向. This specific form emphasizes the continuous state of moving toward a direction.
How do you pronounce it?
cháo
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 湯姆向瑪莉走出一步。Tom took a step toward Mary.This sentence shows how to use 向 to describe movement toward a person.Tatoeba #13117551 by LeviHighway, translation #3597583 by CK
- 確實，這組作品有一個值得關注的特點：儘管它帶有浪漫色彩、採用伊麗莎白時代的形式，卻已預示了英國戲劇即將朝向以「寫實」方式呈現生活的方向發展。Indeed, a remarkable aspect of the group is the way in which, despite its romantic tone and its Elizabethan form, it yet foreshadows the movement that English drama was about to make toward a ‘realistic’ presentment of life.This sentence uses 向 to describe a movement or development toward a certain style or way of life.Tatoeba #13858736 by LeviHighway, translation #11934947 by Cangarejo
- 我們急忙跑向火。We raced toward the fire.This sentence demonstrates using 向 to describe running toward a specific object.Tatoeba #729944 by Martha, translation #729943 by Martha
- 朝北行进 (Xiàng běi xíng jìn)Move toward the north.
- 朝下走 (Cháo xià zǒu)Walk downward.
- 朝着太阳走 (Cháo zhe tàiyáng zǒu)Walk toward the sun.
- 往前走 (Wǎng qián zǒu)Go forward.
- 朝向南边走 (Cháoxiàng nánbiān zǒu)Walk toward the south.
- 房子朝向东 (Fángzi cháoxiàng dōng)The house faces east.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wei and Yuting are walking in a park.
- 雨婷 Yuting那个人朝湖边走去了。Nàge rén cháo hú biān zǒu qù le.That person is walking toward the lake.
- 伟 Wei我们要不要也朝那边走？Wǒmen yào bù yào yě cháo nà biān zǒu?Should we also walk toward that way?
- 雨婷 Yuting好啊，我也想去看看。Hǎo a, wǒ yě xiǎng qù kàn kàn.Sure, I want to go see it too.
- 伟 Wei那我们出发吧。Nà wǒmen chūfā ba.Then let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toward” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 向, 往, 朝, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
