Meaning
往日 refers to days that have passed, particularly those from one's personal past or history. It carries a nostalgic or reflective tone, often evoking memories of earlier times. The word combines 往 (to go, past) with 日 (day, sun) to literally mean 'days gone by.'
Usage
This word is more literary and formal than everyday terms like 以前. It appears frequently in written Chinese, poetry, and reflective speech when recalling memories or comparing the past to the present. Often used in phrases like 往日时光 (days of old) or 追忆往日 (to reminisce about the past).
Examples
- 01看着老照片，她回想起往日的美好时光。, .Looking at old photos, she recalled the beautiful times of bygone days.
- 02往日的繁华已经不复存在了。.The prosperity of former days no longer exists.
Characters
Common collocations
- 往日时光times of old, bygone days
- 追忆往日to reminisce about the past
- 往日情怀feelings from the past, nostalgia
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 往 (indicating direction toward the past) and 日 (day) creates a temporal expression meaning 'days gone by.' This construction is common in Classical Chinese and has been preserved in modern usage.