The preposition “向”

In Chinese “向” (xiàng) is normally followed by a pronoun, a noun or a noun phrase.

It marks the direction of the action, or who it is aimed at.

In English it usually comes out as:

towards … to …

Basic Structure

向 + person / place / direction + Verb

Meaning:

to move towards …

to direct an action at …

别(Bié)再(zài)向(xiàng)前(qián)走(zǒu)了(le)。

Don't walk any further forward.

Structure

向 + 前 + 走 towards + forward + walk 别再 — don't … any more 向前 — forward 走 — to walk

Here 向 marks the direction of the movement.

以(Yǐ)后(hòu)我(wǒ)要(yào)多(duō)向(xiàng)认(rèn)真(zhēn)的(de)人(rén)学(xué)习(xí)。

From now on I want to learn more from people who take things seriously.

Structure

向 + 认真的人 + 学习 from conscientious people + learn 以后 — from now on 我要 — I want to 多 — more 向认真的人学习 — to learn from people who take things seriously

Here 向 shows who the action is aimed at.

孩(Hái)子(zi)一(yí)看(kàn)见(jiàn)妈(mā)妈(ma)，就(jiù)向(xiàng)她(tā)跑(pǎo)过(guò)去(qu)了(le)。

The moment the child saw his mother, he ran over to her.

Structure

向 + 她 + 跑过去 towards her + run over 孩子 — the child 一看见妈妈 — the moment he saw his mother 就 — right then 向她 — towards her 跑过去了 — ran over

Here 向她 shows which way the running is directed.

向 + person / place / direction + Verb

Meaning: it shows the direction of the action, or who it is aimed at.

Examples:

向(xiàng)前(qián)走(zǒu)

to walk forward

向(xiàng)认(rèn)真(zhēn)的(de)人(rén)学(xué)习(xí)

to learn from conscientious people

向(xiàng)她(tā)跑(pǎo)过(guò)去(qu)

to run over to her