望风

望風
wàngfēng
verb #21,993

Meanings

  1. 1 to be on the lookout
  2. 2 to keep watch
  3. 3 to act as a lookout

Examples

Tā zài ménkǒu wàngfēng, qítā rén chènjī liū jìnqù.
He kept watch at the door while the others sneaked in.
Zuò'àn shí, yī rén dòngshǒu, lìng yī rén zài wàimiàn wàngfēng.
During the crime, one person acted while the other kept watch outside.

Tips

usage
望风 typically implies serving as a lookout during an illicit or secretive activity — it has a clandestine connotation. In military contexts, it can also mean to keep a general lookout. It is rarely used in neutral everyday contexts.

Stroke Order

wàng
fēng