朝
towards (which way an action goes) · facing (which way something faces)
Structure
朝 + 方向 + 动词 · 名词 + 朝 + 方向
What it means
朝 says which way an action goes (“towards”), which way something faces, or which person you look, smile or nod at.
How it is built
朝 + direction + verb: 到了路口，朝左转 (at the junction, turn left). Noun + 朝 + direction: 我的房间朝南 (my room faces south). 朝 + person + verb: 她朝我笑了笑 (she smiled at me).
When to use it
For movement, 朝 and 往 (h2-11) mean the same: 朝前开 = 往前开. Only 朝 can say which way something faces (房间朝南, 车头朝墙) or whom a look or smile is aimed at.
Watch out
往 can’t aim a look or smile at a person, or say which way something faces: ✗ 她往我笑了笑 ✓ 她朝我笑了笑. ✗ 房间往南 ✓ 房间朝南.
Examples
到了路口，朝左转。
At the junction, turn left.
我的房间朝南，冬天很舒服。
My room faces south, so it’s comfortable in winter.
她朝我笑了笑。
She smiled at me.
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 13: 学开车 (Learning to drive)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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