向东 (xiàng dōng) — eastward; toward the east

Definition

eastwardtoward the east

向东。
Huǒ chē yì zhí xiàng dōng xíng shǐ.
The train kept traveling eastward.
向东。
Tā men xiàng dōng zǒu le sān gōng lǐ.
They walked three kilometers eastward.
向东。
Tā xiàng dōng kàn le yì yǎn.
He glanced eastward.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

向 points toward and 东 is the east, giving eastward.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

向 originally drew 宀 (house) with 口 to show an echo in a place; later it was used for direction.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 東; 东 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 東 originally drew a full bag tied at both ends. The simplified 东 is a later shorthand, not the historical shape.