從…往…grammar point · tier 2 · 從…往…(走) set out from a point and head a direction
Fixes the starting point with 從, then sets the heading with 往, and a motion verb travels along it: leave from here, aim that way, go.
字源 FORM what the parts do
從 marks where the feet leave: a road-step (彳) and footprints following out of a place (从, 止). 往 sets the heading: the same road-step (彳) with 主, the worn 㞷 on loan for the sound, carrying "go toward." 從 sits behind the traveler, 往 ahead, and the verb walks the line between them.
故事 STORY a scene to remember it by
A traveler at a doorway, heels still on the threshold (從), nose pointed down one of the roads ahead (往), and the next step lands on that road.
You are giving the route: name where to set out from, then which way to head, then move.
序 · The move
1從 + the place you set out fromis this where the feet leave, the point behind you?
2往 + the direction or target you faceis this the heading ahead, the way the nose points — not a second fixed endpoint?
3add the motion verb (走/開/飛) that travels the headingdoes a verb of going follow, so the bearing gets walked?
例 · Examples
1從from (start point)學校往toward (heading)圖書館走walk (the motion along it)就到了。
From the school, head toward the library and walk, and you're there.
界 · Boundary
從…到…
從…到… pins two fixed endpoints and reads off the bounded span between them. 從…往… pins one start and sets a heading from it; 往 takes a direction the verb travels, not a second anchor.
向 alone orients an action at a target from no stated origin. 從…往… adds the start point with 從, so the route has both a where-from and a which-way.
endpoint where a heading belongs: 從學校往圖書館 (no verb) → 從學校往圖書館走
從…到… swapped in for a route: 從這裡到右邊轉 → 從這裡往右邊轉
start and heading flipped: 從圖書館往學校走 → 從學校往圖書館走
English says "from X, go toward Y" with one preposition before each, so learners reach for 從 and 往 in order readily; the slip is dropping the motion verb 往 needs, or reusing 到 (endpoint) where 往 (heading) is the route word.