转向

• Pinyin: zhuǎn xiàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 转 = 车 (vehicle) + 专 (exclusive) — to turn; 向 = 宀 (roof) + 口 (mouth) — direction

Meaning

To turn towards; to change direction; to shift focus. Changing one's direction of movement or area of attention.

Used both literally (turning a vehicle, changing direction) and figuratively (shifting focus, changing one's position on an issue). In vehicles, 转向 specifically refers to steering.

Examples

1. 前面路口请向左转向。 Please turn left at the intersection ahead.
2. 这家公司最近转向了人工智能领域。 This company has recently shifted to the artificial intelligence field.
3. 舆论的风向突然转向，大家开始支持他了。 Public opinion suddenly shifted, and people started supporting him.

Usage Guide

Context: driving, business, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 公司战略正在向数字化转向。(The company's strategy is shifting towards digitalization.)
• 这辆车的转向系统有问题。(This car's steering system has problems.)

Don't Say

• 说'我的身体转向了'表示转身 (Don't use 转向 for simply turning your body — use 转身 instead; 转向 is for vehicles or abstract direction changes)

Origin & History

转 (to turn) + 向 (direction). Together they mean to turn towards a direction.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal