Preposition: 向 (Towards / To)
介词：向
Use 向 to indicate the direction of an action or the target of a gesture
Place 向 before a direction or a person/thing, followed by the verb. 向 points the action towards its target — either a physical direction or a figurative one.
向 can be used with both physical directions (向东, 向前) and people (向他, 向老师). When used with people, it often means "to" or "from" in the sense of seeking something from someone.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Preposition: 向 (Towards / To) (介词：向)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 介词：向 pattern
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Understanding 介词：向
While 往 is your casual direction word for "go that way," 向 is its more versatile cousin. 向 can point to a physical direction (向西看 — look west) AND to a person or abstract target (向老师学习 — learn from the teacher). Think of 向 as a broader "towards" — it works for movement, for looking, for gestures, and even for attitudes. When you say 他向图书馆走去了 you mean "he walked towards the library." When you say 向他学习 you mean "learn from him." This flexibility makes 向 very useful but also slightly tricky — you need to let context guide you. The key difference from 往: 往 is mainly for physical movement in a direction; 向 can be physical or figurative.
Key Points
- 向 (xiàng) = "towards / to / facing" — more versatile than 往.
- 向 + direction + verb: 向东走 (walk east), 向前看 (look ahead).
- 向 + person + verb: 向他学习 (learn from him), 向老师请教 (consult the teacher).
- 向 vs. 往: 往 is mainly physical direction; 向 is both physical and figurative.
- 向 can express the target of communication: 向大家问好 (say hello to everyone).
- 向 is common in formal or written Chinese: 向……致敬 (pay respects to).
- In spoken Chinese, 往 is more common for simple directions; 向 appears in slightly more formal or literary contexts.
The phrase 向……学习 (learn from someone) is deeply embedded in Chinese culture. It reflects the Confucian value of respecting knowledge and experience. Saying 我要向你学习 is both a compliment and an expression of humility.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
你向西边看，看见西山了吗？
Look towards the west — can you see the Western Hills?
Physical direction
他向图书馆走去了。
He walked towards the library.
我们应该向他学习。
We should learn from him.
Figurative — learning from a person
他向老师请教了一个问题。
He consulted the teacher about a question.
向前走，不要停。
Walk forward — do not stop.
请向左转。
Please turn left.
她向大家挥了挥手。
She waved to everyone.
我想向你道歉。
I want to apologize to you.
Common Mistakes
When the target is a person (not a pure direction), use 向, not 往. 往 is only for physical directions.
道歉 does not take a direct object. If you want to specify the reason, use 为 before the reason.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Simple rule: for pure physical directions (go left, go right), both 往 and 向 work. For targets involving people, use 向.
The phrase 向……学习 is a great compliment — use it to show respect for someone who has inspired you.
向前看 (look forward) is also used figuratively: "Look ahead, do not dwell on the past."
Practice pairing 向 with communication verbs: 向他问好, 向她道歉, 向老师请教.
Homework
Write four sentences using 向 with physical directions and four sentences using 向 with people. Compare each 向 sentence with a similar 往 sentence — can 往 replace 向? Why or why not?