向 xiàng towards
towards; direction
How to remember 向: ㇒ falling stroke + 冋 skylight = towards. The architect draws one falling stroke on her plan, then sees rain coming through the open skylight and looks up towards the sky with a groan.
Component breakdown
向 = ㇒ falling stroke + 冋 skylight
- ㇒ falling stroke
- 冋 skylight
The architect draws one falling stroke on her plan, then sees rain coming through the open skylight and looks up towards the sky with a groan.
How it came to be
A house with an opening cut in the wall under the roof: a window. Which way a house faces is decided by where its window is, and facing is what the character means.
How it is used
- "Towards / to" a direction or person - 向前走 (xiàng qián zǒu) walk forward, 向他学习 (xiàng tā xuéxí) learn from him, 向左转 (xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn) turn left.
- As a noun "direction": 方向 (fāngxiàng) direction, 倾向 (qīngxiàng) tendency, 动向 (dòngxiàng) trend.
- 内向 (nèixiàng) introverted vs 外向 (wàixiàng) extroverted - the standard personality pair. 一向 (yíxiàng) = all along/consistently.
Characters built with 向
Words with 向
- 方向fāngxiàngdirectionHSK 3
- 向上xiàngshàngupwardHSK 5
- 面向miànxiàngto faceHSK 5
- 一向yíxiànga period of time in the recent pastHSK 6
- 倾向qīngxiàngtrendHSK 6
- 向往xiàngwǎngto yearn forHSK 6
- 内向nèixiàngreserved (personality)HSK 7
- 动向dòngxiàngtrendHSK 7
- 去向qùxiàngdirection in which somebody or something has goneHSK 7
- 双向shuāngxiàngbidirectionalHSK 7
- 向导xiàngdǎoguideHSK 7
- 向来xiàngláialways (previously)HSK 7
- 外向wàixiàngextroverted (personality)HSK 7
- 定向dìngxiàngto orientateHSK 7
- 导向dǎoxiàngto be oriented towardsHSK 7
- 志向zhìxiàngambitionHSK 7
- 意向yìxiàngintentionHSK 7
- 指向zhǐxiàngto point towardsHSK 7
- 方向盘fāngxiàngpánsteering wheelHSK 7
- 流向liúxiàngdirection of a currentHSK 7
- 走向zǒuxiàngdirectionHSK 7
- 偏向piānxiàngpartial towards somethingHSK 8
- 晕头转向yūntóu-zhuànxiàngconfused and disorientedHSK 9
- 横向héngxiànghorizontalHSK 9
- 欣欣向荣xīnxīn-xiàngróngflourishingHSK 9
Example sentences
- 这条河向东流。 Zhè tiáo hé xiàng dōng liú.This river flows east.
- 他们向树林走去。 Tāmen xiàng shùlín zǒuqù.They're heading for the forest.
- 他约会迟到了，向女朋友道歉。 Tā yuēhuì chídào le, xiàng nǚ péngyou dàoqiàn.He apologized to his girlfriend because he was late for the date.
- 他们向右甩胳膊。 Tāmen xiàngyòu shuǎi gēbo.They swing their arms to the right.