Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'towards' with 朝 (cháo) as a preposition

    Direction & Movement

    Structure

    Subject + 朝 + Direction/Place + Verb

    Explanation

    The preposition 朝 (cháo) means 'towards' or 'in the direction of' and is used to indicate the direction of an action. It is placed before a noun to specify the direction, and is commonly paired with verbs of movement like 走 (walk) or 看 (look).

    Examples

    • 她朝窗外看了一眼，外面正在下雨。

      tā cháo chuāng wài kàn le yī yǎn, wàimiàn zhèngzài xià yǔ.

      She glanced out the window; it was raining outside.

    • 他朝我走过来，手里拿着一杯咖啡。

      tā cháo wǒ zǒu guòlái, shǒu lǐ názhe yī bēi kāfēi.

      He walked toward me with a cup of coffee in his hand.

    • 小狗朝门口跑去，尾巴摇个不停。

      xiǎo gǒu cháo ménkǒu pǎo qù, wěiba yáo gè bù tíng.

      The puppy ran toward the door, wagging its tail nonstop.

    Similar Grammar

    Often Confused With