南来北往

南來北往
nánlái-běiwǎng
idiom #87,671

Meanings

  1. 1 coming from the south, going to the north
  2. 2 travelers passing through from all directions
  3. 3 constant comings and goings

Examples

Zhèjiā xiǎodiàn kāi zài lùkǒu, nánláiběiwǎng de lǚkè dōu zài zhèlǐ xiējiǎo.
This little inn sits at a crossroads, and travelers from all directions stop here to rest.
Mǎtóu shàng nánláiběiwǎng de chuánzhī luòyìbùjué.
At the dock, ships coming and going in every direction never let up.
Tā zài huǒchēzhàn gōngzuò duōnián, jiànguò nánláiběiwǎng de gèzhǒng rén.
He's worked at the train station for years and has seen every kind of traveler pass through.

Tips

history
Found in Li Xingdao's 》 (Yuan dynasty 'Chalk Circle'): a tavern keeper boasts that 南来北往 merchants and travelers all come to drink at her shop. Snapshot of a Yuan-era highway inn.
usage
Almost always used to describe traffic of people through a place — stations, ports, markets, crossroads. Implies variety as much as movement.

Stroke Order

nán
lái
běi
wǎng