向海 (xiàng hǎi) — (verb phrase) to face the sea, to be oriented toward the sea; (adverb) seaward, in a direction toward the sea

Definition

A direction phrase meaning 'toward the sea' / 'seaward' — used as a verb phrase (X 向海, e.g. 一面向海) or as an adverb before a verb (向海航行). It describes orientation or motion, not a destination by itself.

verb
(verb phrase) to face the seato be oriented toward the sea
adverb
seawardin a direction toward the sea

Examples

  • ，向海。
    Zhè ge xiǎo cūn zhuāng sān miàn huán shān, yí miàn xiàng hǎi.
    This small village is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the sea on one side.
  • 向海，。
    Chuán duì xiàng hǎi háng xíng le liǎng tiān, zhōng yú dào dá mù dì dì.
    The fleet sailed seaward for two days and finally reached its destination.
  • 向海，。
    Zhè tiáo hé xiàng hǎi liú rù dà hǎi, yán tú fēng jǐng hěn měi.
    This river flows seaward into the ocean, and the scenery along the way is beautiful.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

向xiàngtoward
海hǎisea

向 (toward) points to 海 (sea), giving seaward.

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.

Open 向 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
每
每měi海hǎi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

海 pairs 氵 (water) with 每, which gives the sound. The 氵 side shows it is about water.

Open 海 →

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