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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'outward' with 往外 (wǎng wài)

    Direction & Movement

    Structure

    往外 + Verb

    Explanation

    往外 (wǎng wài) is a directional phrase meaning "outward" or "toward the outside." It combines the preposition 往 (toward) with 外 (outside) to indicate movement or orientation directed away from an enclosed space. It often modifies verbs to show the direction of an action, such as looking or moving outward.

    Examples

    • 他推开窗户,往外望了一眼。

      Tā tuī kāi chuānghu, wǎng wài wàng le yì yǎn.

      He pushed open the window and glanced outside.

    • 别往外扔垃圾,放进垃圾桶里。

      Bié wǎng wài rēng lājī, fàng jìn lājītǒng lǐ.

      Don't throw trash outside; put it in the trash can.

    • 她往外走了几步,突然又转身回来了。

      Tā wǎng wài zǒu le jǐ bù, tūrán yòu zhuǎnshēn huílái le.

      She walked a few steps outside, then suddenly turned around and came back.

    Expressing 'outward' with 往外 (wǎng wài) | Chinese Grammar