往来

• Pinyin: wǎng lái
• Hanzi breakdown: 往 = 彳 (step) + 主 (master); 来 = simplified from 來, depicting wheat coming to harvest

Meaning

To come and go; dealings; contact; intercourse. Movement back and forth, or exchanges between people/places.

Can describe physical movement (people coming and going) or abstract relationships (business dealings, social contact). In accounting, 往来 refers to current accounts or receivables/payables. Related: 来往 (similar meaning), 往来账 (current account).

Examples

1. 这条街道上人来车往来，非常热闹。 This street is bustling with people and vehicles coming and going.
2. 两家公司有长期的业务往来关系。 The two companies have a long-term business relationship.
3. 自从搬家以后，我们跟老邻居的往来就少了。 Since we moved, we've had less contact with our old neighbors.

Usage Guide

Context: business, social, traffic

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我们保持往来吧。(Let's stay in touch.)
• 公司之间有业务往来。(There are business dealings between the companies.)

Don't Say

• 我和他没有往来 — 说'没有来往'或'不来往'更自然

Origin & History

Compound of 往 (to go) + 来 (to come). Together describing the back-and-forth movement or exchange.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal