Expressing "towards" with "xiang"

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向 (xiàng) is a preposition that means "towards," and is used often when expressing or referring to a certain point.

Used as "Towards"

Structure

When used as a preposition, "向" indicates an action that is performed towards a reference point, but doesn't have any actual motion towards that point.

向 + [Direction Word] / [Person] + Verb

Examples

  • 东 走 。Xiàng Dōng zǒu.Walk towards east.
  • 前 看 。Xiàng qián kàn.Look forward.
  • 左 转 。Xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn.Turn left.
  • 老师 正 我们 走 来 。Lǎoshī zhèng xiàng wǒmen zǒu lái.The teacher is walking up towards us.
  • 火车 已经 开 了 ,她 还在 我 招手 。Huǒchē yǐjīng kāi le, tā hái zài xiàng wǒ zhāoshǒu.The train already took off. She kept waving towards me.
  • 不要 我 开枪 !Bù yào xiàng wǒ kāiqiāng!Don't shoot at me .
  • 你 需要 他 道歉 。Nǐ xūyào xiàng tā dàoqiàn.You need to apologize to him.
  • 这么 重要 的 事 你们 怎么 不 老板 报告 一下 ?Why didn't you report such an important thing to the boss?
  • 客户 不 了解 这个 情况 ,你 应该 他 解释 一下 。The client doesn't know this situation. You should explain to him.
  • 客户 不 了解 这个 情况 ,你 应该 他 解释 一下 。The client doesn't know this situation. You should explain to him.

Used as "From"

Whereas in English we would say "learn from someone," in Chinese this would be expressed as "learn toward someone," as in the following example (and famous propaganda slogan):

  • 雷锋 同志 学习 !Xiàng Léi Fēng tóngzhì xuéxí!Learn from Comrade Lei Feng!
  • 我 不 喜欢 同事 借钱 !Wǒ yào xiàng nǐ xuéxí!I want to learn from you.
  • 你 会 陌生人 求助 吗 ? .
  • .

See also

Sources and further reading

Books