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.

Examples

向东走。Xiàng dōng zǒu.Walk towards east.
向前看。Xiàng qián kàn.Look forward.
向左转。Xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn.Turn left.
老师正向我们走来。Lǎoshī zhèng xiàng wǒmen zǒu lái.The teacher is walking up towards us.
不要向我开枪！Bùyào xiàng wǒ kāiqiāng!Don't shoot at me .
你需要向他道歉。Nǐ xūyào xiàng tā dàoqiàn.You need to apologize to him.
这件事你必须向老板汇报一下！Zhè jiàn shì nǐ bìxū xiàng lǎobǎn huìbào yīxià!You must report this to the boss!
火车已经开了，她还在向我招手。Huǒchē yǐjīng kāi le, tā hái zài xiàng wǒ zhāoshǒu.The train already took off. She kept waving towards me.
他还没向我表白。Tā hiáméi xiàng wǒ biǎobái.He hasn't confessed to me yet.

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):

向雷锋同志学习！Xiàng Léi Fēng tóngzhì xuéxí!Learn from Comrade Lei Feng!

Examples

你要向好学生学习。Nǐ yào xiàng hǎo xuéshēng xuéxí.You should learn from good students.
警察正在向他的邻居了解情况。Jǐngchá zhèngzài xiàng tā de línjū liǎojiě qíngkuàng.The policemen are asking his neighbors for more information.
我们都没经验，是来向你取经的。Wǒmen dōu méi jīngyàn, lái xiàng nǐ qǔjīng de.None of us have experience. We're here to get some experience from you.
我不喜欢向同事借钱 ! Wǒ bù xǐhuan xiàng tóngshì jiè qián.I don't like to borrow money to my colleagues.
你会向陌生人求助吗？Nǐ huì xiàng mòshēngrén qiúzhù ma?Would you ask strangers for help?

Used as "Towards"

Structure

Examples

Used as "From"

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books