向 (xiàng) - toward & direction

向Tone 4

xiàng ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 口

想信

向 · xiàng

toward;

direction;

to face;

to turn towards;

formerly;

always;

to guide;

surname

towarddirectionto face

Usage highlights

DirectionTowardsAlwaysSunflowerGuideIntroversion

Synonyms

  • 朝— towards; facing
  • 往— towards; to go to
  • 对— towards; to

Antonyms

  • 背— to turn away from; to betray

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sunflower faces the sun (向日葵).
  • Please walk forward (向前走).
  • He has always been diligent (他向来很勤奋).
  • I'm heading in the direction of the school (向学校的方向).

Collocations

  • Direction(方向)
  • Towards(向...)
  • Always(向来)
  • Sunflower(向日葵)
  • Guide(向导)
  • Introversion(内向)

Idioms

  • Turn peril into safety(化险为向)
  • Face the sun with a radiant smile(欣欣向荣)
  • People's hearts look forward to it(人心所向)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a window facing north, representing direction and orientation.
  • Used as a surname with historical roots, including figures like Xiang Yu's (项羽) ancestor Xiang Yan.
  • In modern contexts, it appears in words describing personality (内向/外向) and social trends.

FAQ