一向 yíxiàng a period of time in the recent past
a period of time in the recent past; (indicating a period of time up to the present) all along; the whole time
How to remember 一向: 一 one + 向 towards = a period of time in the recent past.
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How it is used
- Adverb: all along / consistently up to now - describes a long-standing habit or trait. 他一向准时 (tā yíxiàng zhǔnshí) he's always been punctual.
- Contrast 一直 (yìzhí): 一直 is 'continuously' over any stretch (even short), while 一向 stresses an enduring, characteristic pattern from the past to the present.