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Type-o

LingQ Forums - How to learn languages | Ask Your Tutor (Chinese) |
Question:Type-o
Term:向 vs. 往
Lesson: ChineseLingQ - Eating Out, Part 1

March 17, 2009, 10:59 a.m.

loedolff
loedolff US
6 posts
In the audio, the woman uses the phrase "一直 向前 走" twice. But the 2nd she says the phrase the transcription shows 一直 往前 走 instead of 一直 向前 走 the 2nd time. In other words, the text shows 往 (wang3) instead of 向 (xiang4).

In this context the words are interchangeable.

March 17, 2009, 12:02 p.m.

Wolf
Wolf CN
Administrator
65 posts
Yes, they're interchangable in this context.

向前 is more "neutral", you use it in both formal and informal situations. For example, 向前进! 向前进! = March on! (and be brave! - sounds like some political slogan though) and you don't say 往前进 here.

往前 sounds a little informal, usually you use it giving people directions.

March 17, 2009, 12:38 p.m.

loedolff
loedolff US
6 posts
Ah. Thanks for the info! 向前进 has a nice sound to it . Seems like an onomatopoeia, doesn't it? "xiang4" sounds like pant legs rubbing when you take a step forward, "qian2" sounds like boot or belt buckles (or other metal that infantry might carry), and "jin4" sounds like a platoon's feet striking the ground.

May 6, 2009, 4:53 a.m.

LingQ_Support
LingQ_Support CA
32 posts
Interesting thought!

Feb. 17, 2012, 1:16 a.m.

elpolaco
elpolaco AU
62 posts
In the audio she doesn't say wang3 the second time. She says xiang4 both times if you actually listen to the audio. Someone should fix this cause it's confusing.

Feb. 17, 2012, 6:03 p.m.

alex
alex CA
Administrator
2735 posts
Fixed :)
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