导向

• Pinyin: dǎo xiàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 导 = 巳 + 寸 (guide, lead); 向 = 冂 + 口 (direction, toward)

Meaning

To guide or orient toward a goal or direction; the guiding orientation or principle behind a policy, design, or approach.

Used in policy, education, design, and management to describe the overall direction or orientation of a strategy or system. Common in compound forms: 以市场为导向 (market-oriented), 需求导向 (demand-driven), 价值导向 (value-guided).

Examples

1. 政府出台了一系列以就业为导向的职业培训扶持政策。 The government introduced a series of employment-oriented support policies for vocational training.
2. 课程设计应以学生的实际需求为导向，注重实践能力的培养。 Curriculum design should be guided by students' actual needs and emphasize the development of practical skills.
3. 企业的研发方向应由市场需求来导向，而非单纯追求技术突破。 A company's research and development direction should be guided by market demand rather than simply pursuing technological breakthroughs.

Usage Guide

Context: policy, management, education, strategy

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 以结果为导向的绩效考核体系能有效激励员工的工作积极性。(A results-oriented performance appraisal system can effectively motivate employees' enthusiasm for work.)
• 媒体应承担正确的舆论导向责任，不得散布虚假信息。(The media should fulfil its responsibility for correct public opinion guidance and must not spread false information.)

Don't Say

• 导向我去哪里 — 导向 is not a directional verb for physical guidance; use 指引我 or 指路 instead

Origin & History

导 (guide, lead) + 向 (direction, toward)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal