向

• 拼音: xiàng
• 汉字拆解: 向 = pictograph of a house with a window, originally meaning 'window/direction'

含义

Toward; in the direction of. Used to indicate direction or the target of an action.

As a preposition, 向 indicates direction or the recipient of an action: 向前走 (walk forward), 向他学习 (learn from him), 向老师提问 (ask the teacher a question). Also used as a verb meaning 'to face': 窗户向南 (the window faces south). Very common in giving directions and describing orientations.

例句

1. 请向前走一百米。
2. 你应该向老师请假。
3. 这个房间的窗户向南。

用法指南

语境: directions, requests, everyday

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 向左转就到了。(Turn left and you'll be there.)
• 我要向你道歉。(I want to apologise to you.)

错误说法

• 混淆向和往 (Don't confuse 向 with 往 — both mean 'toward,' but 向 emphasises the direction of facing or addressing someone, while 往 emphasises movement along a path)

起源与历史

向 originally depicted a window in a wall facing a certain direction. The character evolved from 'window' to 'direction' and then to the preposition 'toward.'

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal