Definition
一向 (yīxiàng) means 'always, consistently' and emphasizes a habit or characteristic that has held true up to the present, often with a sense of 'as usual'. It is more specific to personal tendencies than 一直 (yīzhí), which means 'continuously' over time and can also mean 'straight ahead'. 向来 (xiànglái) is a near-synonym but slightly more formal and literary.
adverb
alwaysconsistently (of a habit, tendency, or characteristic up to the present)
Easily confused
- 意向yì xiàngsound-alikeintention, intent
Examples
- 一向。Wǒ yī xiàng xǐhuan hē lǜchá.I have always liked drinking green tea.
- 一向。Tā yī xiàng duì gōngzuò fēicháng rènzhēn.She has always been very serious about her work.
- 一向。Zhèlǐ de tiānqì yī xiàng hěn nuǎnhuo.The weather here has always been warm.
Grammar
Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.