过往 guòwǎng to come and go
to come and go; to have friendly relations with; in the past; previous
How to remember 过往: 过 to cross + 往 towards = to come and go.
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How it is used
- Two uses: the past (as a noun), and passing by/to and fro - 回忆过往 (huíyì guòwǎng) to recall the past; 过往车辆 passing vehicles.
- As "the past" it's literary and reflective (放下过往 let go of the past); as "passing" it's attributive (过往行人 passers-by).
- The noun sense overlaps 往事 (wǎngshì, past events) but 过往 feels broader and more atmospheric; context tells you which sense is active.