How to use 向
向 + Direction / Person + Verb
向 identifies the direction or target of an action. With movement and looking verbs, the target may be a physical direction or place. With communication and social actions, it is often the person addressed. Place 向 and its target before the main verb, and choose a verb that naturally allows this relationship.
Some common 向 combinations translate into English using “from” rather than “toward.” Learning, borrowing, and seeking advice focus on the person approached, even when information or money comes from them. Learn these combinations as complete verb patterns instead of matching English prepositions word for word. 向 can occur with actual motion as well as actions performed toward a stationary target.
Examples with pinyin and English
向东走。
Walk to the east.
向前看。
Look forward.
向左转。
Turn to the left.
老师正向我们走来。
The teacher is currently walking towards us.
What to remember
- Put 向 + Target before the action.
- Learn its common communication-verb combinations.
- English may translate 向 as to, toward, or from.
Practise the pattern
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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