<p>See the <a href="http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Comparing_%22chao%22_%22xiang%22_and_%22wang%22" rel="noreferrer">Chinese Grammar Wiki</a>. The explanation is quite extensive with many examples.</p>

<p>Some relevant parts:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>向 and 往 can be placed after the verb, however it has to be used with
  an appropriate verb, Often used verbs are 开, 飞, 发, 运, 送, 寄, 带, 驶 etc.
  As you can see, this are words that at least imply some sort of
  motion. In addition, compared to 向, 往 is used more often with those
  verbs, because 往 expresses the destination while 向 merely expresses a
  direction, 朝 cannot be used this way.</p>
  
  <p>When the action that takes place is specified to a specific target,
  use 向 or 朝. 往 cannot be used this way. Also, when the verb is a
  concrete action, the use of 向 and 朝 are the same, and they can be
  interchanged.</p>
  
  <p>When the verb has an abstract meaning, you can only use 向, and you
  cannot use 朝.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-03T12:58:59.770Z
2013-05-03T12:58:59.770Z
BertR
<p>In talking about physical/geographical directions, I'm pretty comfortable using 朝 and 向 and 往 for the meaning of "to" or "toward". But I would be hard put to describe to a Chinese language learner any differences in usage or meaning among these three words. Are there any important differences?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-03T12:22:10.757Z
This [link](http://www.easymandarin.net/html/SUPPLEMENTARY-MATERIALS/200808/31-11.html) contains a good description of the similarities and differences of the three words.
杨以轩
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-03T12:30:26.207Z
Why is that a comment rather than an answer?
Dan
<difference>
Comparing 朝 vs. 向 vs. 往
# Comparing 朝 vs. 向 vs. 往

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-05-03)

In talking about physical/geographical directions, I'm pretty comfortable using 朝 and 向 and 往 for the meaning of "to" or "toward". But I would be hard put to describe to a Chinese language learner any differences in usage or meaning among these three words. Are there any important differences?

**Tags:** difference

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This [link](http://www.easymandarin.net/html/SUPPLEMENTARY-MATERIALS/200808/31-11.html) contains a good description of the similarities and differences of the three words.  
> **username_0**: Why is that a comment rather than an answer?  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2013-05-03. Score: 5

See the [Chinese Grammar Wiki](http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Comparing_%22chao%22_%22xiang%22_and_%22wang%22). The explanation is quite extensive with many examples.

Some relevant parts:

> 向 and 往 can be placed after the verb, however it has to be used with
> an appropriate verb, Often used verbs are 开, 飞, 发, 运, 送, 寄, 带, 驶 etc.
> As you can see, this are words that at least imply some sort of
> motion. In addition, compared to 向, 往 is used more often with those
> verbs, because 往 expresses the destination while 向 merely expresses a
> direction, 朝 cannot be used this way.
>
> When the action that takes place is specified to a specific target,
> use 向 or 朝. 往 cannot be used this way. Also, when the verb is a
> concrete action, the use of 向 and 朝 are the same, and they can be
> interchanged.
>
> When the verb has an abstract meaning, you can only use 向, and you
> cannot use 朝.


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