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定向 (dìng xiàng) — to orient, to direct (toward a specific goal or direction)

Definition

定向 means to direct or orient toward a specific goal or target, often as a strategy or policy. Like 定位 and 导向, it implies deliberate focus on a chosen direction; 指向 is more physical ('point toward').

verb
to orientto direct (toward a specific goal or direction)

Examples

  • 定向。
    Gōng sī jué dìng dìng xiàng yú hǎi wài shì chǎng.
    The company decided to orient towards overseas markets.
  • 定向。
    dìng xiàng Péi yǎng shì qǐ yè cháng yòng de rén cái cè lüè.
    Targeted training is a common talent strategy for companies.
  • 定向。
    Tā bào míng cān jiā le dìng xiàng yuè yě bǐ sài.
    He signed up for an orienteering competition.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

定dìngfix
向xiàngdirection

定 (fix) and 向 (direction) together mean to fix a direction.

Characters in this word

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
宀宀mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
正
正zhèng定dìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

定 is built from 宀 and 正, with 正 supplying the sound.

Open 定 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Directions

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