来往

• Pinyin: lái wǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 来 = originally wheat, later 'come'; 往 = 彳 (walking) + 王, to go toward

Meaning

To come and go; to have contact or dealings with someone; social intercourse.

Describes both physical movement back and forth and interpersonal relationships/interactions. Common uses: 来往密切 (have close contact), 断绝来往 (cut off relations), 来来往往 (coming and going constantly). As a noun, refers to social contact or dealings between people.

Examples

1. 这两家公司业务来往频繁，每个月都有好几次合作项目。 These two companies have frequent business dealings, with several collaborative projects each month.
2. 自从搬家以后，我们跟老邻居的来往就少了很多。 Since we moved, we've had much less contact with our old neighbors.
3. 马路上来来往往的行人很多，过马路一定要小心。 There are many pedestrians coming and going on the street; you must be careful when crossing.

Usage Guide

Context: social, business, traffic

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我们两家来往不多。(Our two families don't have much contact.)
• 街上来往的人真多。(There are so many people coming and going on the street.)

Don't Say

• 说'我和他来往了'表示约会 (来往 means general social contact, not dating — for romantic relationships use 交往)

Origin & History

Compound of 来 (come) + 往 (go), literally 'coming and going.' Extended from physical movement to social relations.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal