向
toward; to face
xiàng
What does 向 mean?
向 (xiàng) is the preposition 'toward / to / facing,' used to mark the direction of an action. Pattern: subject + 向 + direction/target + verb. 向前走 = 'walk forward.' 向左转 = 'turn left.' It also marks the recipient of communication or learning: 向老师问问题 = 'ask the teacher a question'; 向他学习 = 'learn from him.'
Two distinctions for English speakers. First, 向 is interchangeable with 朝 (cháo, 'toward / facing') in directional uses — 向北 / 朝北 both mean 'facing north,' though 朝 is slightly more spatial. Second, 向 differs from 往 (wǎng, 'toward'): 往 emphasizes motion to a destination (往北京 = toward Beijing); 向 emphasizes facing or orientation. As a verb, 向 can also mean 'to face / be inclined toward,' but that use is mostly literary today. Don't confuse with the homophone 像
Character breakdown
toward; to face; direction
Memory hook: 向 looks like a small window with an arrow pointing through it — pointing 'toward' a direction.
Example sentences
请向前走。
Qǐng xiàng qián zǒu.
Please walk forward.
spoken
到了路口，向左转。
Dào le lùkǒu, xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn.
When you reach the intersection, turn left.
spoken
我们要向他学习。
Wǒmen yào xiàng tā xuéxí.
We should learn from him.
neutral
他向我笑了笑。
Tā xiàng wǒ xiào le xiào.
He smiled at me.
neutral
你走错方向了。
Nǐ zǒu cuò fāngxiàng le.
You're going the wrong way.
spoken
Common phrases with 向
Synonyms
朝 also means 'toward / facing' and is interchangeable with 向 in most directional uses (朝前走 / 向前走). 朝 leans slightly more spatial-orientation, 向 slightly more action-direction; in everyday speech they swap freely.
Don't confuse 向 with
像 (xiàng, 'resemble') is a homophone of 向 but means 'to be like.' 你像他 = 'You're like him'; 向他学习 = 'Learn from him.' Easy to mix up in writing.
想 (xiǎng, 'to want / think') has a different tone (third) and a totally different meaning. 想去 = 'want to go'; 向北 = 'toward the north.'
项 (xiàng)