How common it is
向 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say xiàng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
向表示朝着、对着，或方向。
xiàng biǎo shì cháo zhe 、 duì zhe， huò fāng xiàng。
Toward means facing or in the direction of.
Context note
向常出现在向前、向左、向老师这些表达里。
xiàng cháng chū xiàn zài xiàng qián 、 xiàng zuǒ 、 xiàng lǎo shī zhè xiē biǎo dá lǐ。
Toward often appears in expressions like forward, left, and toward the teacher.
5 examples
向前走。
xiàng qián zǒu。
Walk forward.
向右转。
xiàng yòu zhuǎn。
Turn right.
他向老师问好。
tā xiàng lǎo shī wèn hǎo。
He greeted the teacher.
我向窗外看。
wǒ xiàng chuāng wài kàn。
I look out the window.
请向这边来。
qǐng xiàng zhè biān lái。
Please come this way.
5 mini stories
我们向前走了一会儿，就看见了车站。
wǒ men xiàng qián zǒu le yí huì er， jiù kàn jiàn le chē zhàn。
We walked forward for a while and then saw the station.
孩子向老师挥手问好。
hái zi xiàng lǎo shī huī shǒu wèn hǎo。
The child waved and greeted the teacher.
请向右看，那里有一个红色的门。
qǐng xiàng yòu kàn， nà lǐ yǒu yí gè hóng sè de mén。
Please look to the right. There is a red door there.
他向朋友跑过去。
tā xiàng péng yǒu pǎo guò qù。
He ran toward his friend.
风向北边吹，树叶一直在动。
fēng xiàng běi biān chuī， shù yè yì zhí zài dòng。
The wind blew toward the north, and the leaves kept moving.