向着

• Pinyin: xiàng zhe
• Hanzi breakdown: 向 = 宀 + 口 (direction/facing); 着 = 羊 + 目 (aspect particle indicating an ongoing state)

Meaning

Facing toward; in the direction of. Also: to side with someone; to favour or be partial to.

Has two distinct usages. The directional sense (向着某方向 — facing or moving toward a direction) is literal and neutral. The interpersonal sense (向着某人 — siding with or partial to someone) carries colloquial warmth or criticism depending on context — a parent accused of 向着 a favoured child is showing favouritism.

Examples

1. 列车向着南方缓缓驶去，渐渐消失在茫茫的夜色之中。 The train slowly headed south and gradually disappeared into the vast night.
2. 她无论在什么场合都向着自己的孩子，从不愿意承认孩子有任何不对之处。 No matter the situation, she always takes her child’s side and is never willing to admit the child did anything wrong.
3. 公司政策应做到一视同仁，不能向着某些部门而忽视其他团队的合理诉求。 Company policies should treat everyone fairly, not favor certain departments while ignoring other teams’ reasonable requests.

Usage Guide

Context: direction, family dynamics, interpersonal relations

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他们沿着蜿蜒的山路，一路向着山顶攀登，历经数小时终于到达目的地。(They climbed along the winding mountain path, heading toward the summit, and finally reached their destination after several hours.)
• 你总是向着他说话，从来不考虑我的感受，这让我感到非常失望和委屈。(You always take his side when you speak, never considering my feelings — this makes me feel very disappointed and aggrieved.)

Don't Say

• 向着工作努力 — in the interpersonal sense 向着 requires a person as its object; for working toward a goal use 朝着目标努力 or 为工作奋斗 instead

Origin & History

向 (facing/directed toward) + 着 (aspect marker — ongoing state) — facing toward; directed at; the state of being on someone's side

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal