Definition
向 (xiàng) as a preposition means 'towards' and marks the direction, goal, or recipient of an action — e.g. 向他学习 'learn from him'. As a verb it means 'to face' a direction. It's more directional than 对 (duì), which can also mean 'towards' but often introduces the target of a feeling or attitude (e.g. 对他好 'be good to him'). 一直 (yī zhí) is an adverb meaning 'always' or 'straight', not a preposition or verb.
preposition
towardsto (indicating direction, goal, or recipient of an action)
verb
to faceto turn towardsto side with
Easily confused
- 响xiǎnglook-alike(verb) to sound, to ring, to make a sound
- 想xiǎngsound-aliketo want to; would like to
- 内nèilook-alikeinside; within; interior
- 像xiàngsound-aliketo resemble, to be like
- 尚shànglook-alike(adverb) still, yet (formal)
- 项xiàngsound-alike(classifier) used for items, tasks, clauses, research projects, and other abstract entities
- 南nánlook-alikesouth
- 香xiāngsound-alikefragrant, aromatic
- 乡xiāngsound-alikehometown, native village
- 巷xiàngsound-alikelane, alley
Examples
- 向。Tā xiàng wǒ xiào le xiào.He smiled at me.
- 向。Chuāngkǒu xiàng nán.The window faces south.
- 。Nǐ xiàng qián zǒu.Walk forward.
Grammar
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