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Expressing "towards" with 向 ("xiang4")

向 xiàng

Preposition
HSK 3

Structure

向 + Direction / Person + Verb

Translations

  • towards
  • from

Definition

表示动作的方向或对象，相当于“朝着”、“对着”。

Indicates the direction or target of an action, equivalent to 'towards' or 'facing'.

Usage

向”后面通常接方向、地点或对象，构成介词短语，放在动词前作状语。常见搭配有“向前”、“向后”、“向上”、“向下”等。

向 is usually followed by a direction, place, or object, forming a prepositional phrase that is placed before the verb as an adverbial. Common combinations include '向前' (forward), '向后' (backward), '向上' (upward), '向下' (downward), etc.

Examples

  • 1 他向我走来。 (He walked towards me.)
  • 2 汽车向东行驶。 (The car is driving eastward.)
  • 3 请大家向前看。 (Everyone, please look forward.)
  • 4 她向我点头微笑。 (She nodded and smiled at me.)
  • 5 小鸟向天空飞去。 (The bird flew towards the sky.)

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