▎向, xiàng, (Prep), to, toward

 

Function Directional preposition 向 indicates the target (either person or object) of an action. Often 向 can be replaced by 跟.

1 我想向那家公司爭取實習的機會。

Wǒ xiǎng xiàng nà jiā gōngsī zhēngqǔ shíxí de jīhuì.

I intend to vie for an internship placement with that company.

2 她居然敢向比她厲害的人挑戰。

Tā jūrán gǎn xiàng bǐ tā lìhài de rén tiǎozhàn.

She had the guts to challenge her superior.

3 警察向民眾說明塞車的原因。

Jǐngchá xiàng mínzhòng shuōmíng sāichē de yuányīn.

Police explained the reasons behind the congested traffic to the public.

4 新郎新娘向參加婚禮的人敬酒。

Xīnláng xīnniáng xiàng cānjiā hūnlǐ de rén jìngjiǔ.

The bride and groom toasted to the attendees.

 

Usage

(1) 向 can be followed by a directional word, such as 前qián, 後hòu, 左zuǒ, 右yòu, 東dōng, 南nán, 上shàng, 下xià, etc. to express the direction of an action, but cannot be substituted by 跟 in such a structure.

1 站在那棟房子前，向前看，會看到一條河；向後看會看到一座山。

Zhàn zài nà dòng fángzi qián, xiàng qián kàn, huì kàndào yì tiáo hé; xiàng hòu kàn huì kàndào yí zuò shān.

Standing in front of the house, looking forward, you will see a river. Looking behind you, you will see a mountain.

2 司機先生，請在下一個路口向右轉。

Sījī xiānshēng, qǐng zài xià yí ge lùkǒu xiàng yòu zhuǎn.

Mister (driver), please turn right at the next intersection.

(2) When 向 follows a verb, said verb is usually monosyllabic. This pattern is used mostly in formal language.

1 台灣大部分的河都流向大海。

Táiwān dà bùfèn de hé dōu liúxiàng dà hǎi.

Most rivers in Taiwan flow toward the ocean.

2 派對上來了一個美女，大家的目光都轉向她。

Pàiduì shàng láile yí ge měinǚ, dàjiā de mùguāng dōu zhuǎnxiàng tā.

A beautiful woman came to the party. All eyes turned toward her.