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通往 (tōng wǎng) — to lead to, to go to (of roads, paths, or abstract connections)

Definition

verb
to lead toto go to (of roads, paths, or abstract connections)

Examples

  • 通往。
    Zhè tiáo xiǎo lù tōng wǎng shān dǐng.
    This small path leads to the mountain top.
  • 通往。
    Nǔ lì shì tōng wǎng chéng gōng de wéi yī dào lù.
    Hard work is the only road to success.
  • 通往。
    Zhè zuò qiáo tōng wǎng duì àn de cūn zhuāng.
    This bridge leads to the village on the other side.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

通tōnglead through
往wǎngtoward

通 means lead through and 往 means toward, giving the idea of a road leading somewhere.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuò
Sound part声符shēngfú
甬
甬yǒng通tōng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

通 pairs 辶, a part associated with movement, with 甬, which gives the sound.

Open 通 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
止止zhǐfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
王
王wáng往wǎng
Same sound today

The form that became 往 paired 止, a foot, with 王 for the sound; a stepping part was later added, and the right side changed.

Open 往 →
Appears in
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